Hong Kong native Lennon Tsoi is Filipino at heart. Born in the Philippines, it’s easy to see why the now-28-year-old holds the country so close.

“I studied here before moving back to Hong Kong for high school,” Tsoi said, switching effortlessly between Filipino and English during a brief Manila visit to check on Miel Fajardo, a top flyweight contender.

When he was a child living in Metro Manila, Tsoi’s parents ran Chinese restaurants in the city. The businesses have long since closed, but his “passion for boxing” keeps bringing him back.

He now flies in at least once a month — and lately, even more often — including to oversee an open media workout for Fajardo, who is on the verge of a shot at the IBF 112-pound title.

Tsoi is Fajardo’s registered manager, but with a 5-1 pro record himself, he does more than handle paperwork.

Team Fajardo is expected to sign a contract to face reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Masamichi Yabuki, with the bout likely set for November in Yabuki’s home turf in Japan.

Tsoi isn’t fazed by fighting on enemy ground. Just months ago, he accompanied Fajardo on a grueling trip to Argentina that earned the Agusan del Sur native the IBF’s mandatory challenger spot.

“It was an unforgettable journey,” Tsoi recalled. “The travel was tough.”

From Manila, the team flew to Dubai, then to Sao Paulo in Brazil, then to Buenos Aires. From there, it was still a few hours by land to Galvez in Santa Fe province. Fajardo was matched against local fighter Tobias Reyes for the right to challenge Yabuki — and got it done in just over a minute.

The reception wasn’t hostile, but logistics were.

“We were just given sandwiches,” a Team Fajardo member said.

True to Filipino resourcefulness, they brought their own food from the Philippines.

With that win, Fajardo moved one step closer to a world title. Negotiations for the Yabuki fight are ongoing, with American dealmaker Sean Gibbons handling talks with the Japanese side.

As he awaits word, Tsoi is making sure Fajardo gets everything he needs. “We are all excited about Miel’s world title shot,” he said. “I’ll go the extra mile to give him the best chance to win.”

Fajardo may not be the heavy underdog. His power is obvious, but Tsoi points to something more: “Miel’s very dedicated, motivated and hungry.”

Fajardo himself knows what’s on the horizon in the event he pulls it off.

“A win will allow me to help my family. This is the only way I know that can lead to change,” said the soft-spoken knockout artist.

Tsoi’s work is backed by longtime boxing figure Cucuy Elorde, who helped set up Fajardo’s recent media workout, and by Anthony Arieta, who has Gibbons’ blessing to handle business.

With that support system behind them, the Philippines’ chances of adding another world champion keep growing.

For Tsoi, it all comes down to one thing.

“I love boxing,” he said.