The British, Commonwealth and European lightweight champion is one of the most devastating fighters in British boxing. and stopped 14 of 15 professional opponents.
On Saturday night, Sam Noakes brought the curtain down on a turbulent year with a thrilling and exciting fight against former British featherweight titleholder Ryan Walsh at Wembley Arena. In September, Walsh, 29-4-2 (13 KO), produced the most devastating performance of his own career, defeating the normally strong Reece Mold within one round. The victory gave him a shot at Noakes and the 27-year-old from Maidstone was particularly impressed.
“Smart. You can’t blame it. I wouldn’t say he caught himself cold. Because it was a lucky shot, it’s boxing, he obviously had a goal to throw that shot,” Noakes, 15-0 (14 KO), said during Queensbur’s ‘Locked In’ one-on-one. Really
“Maybe Reece Mold overlooked him. Of course, that win made me think that I wouldn’t do the same. So I will move forward with class. And I know that it will without a doubt be the hardest fight of my career. He is obviously very durable. He didn’t give up at all. He has a lot of experience. You know what I’m saying? He’s obviously confident – very confident – so he’s going to win and I think it’s going to be a good fight.”
Noakes started the year as a prospect. But he ended up being a genuine world title contender, knocking out Lewis Sylvester to win the British title, pointing out experienced Ivan Mendy for the European title. Then defeat Gianluca. Ceglia won in the eighth round, Noakes is highly ranked with the WBO, WBC and IBF and 2025 should see him enter world title contention as long as he gets past Walsh.
“When can you do a slip-up? I think like I said. It will bring out the best in both of us. It’s a good fight. It is just business as usual,” he said.
“I feel like it’s the last live fight, it’s really giving. And this one I know I can’t miss because the guy is ready, but that – and he will say the same – it will only bring out the best in him. Because people can only sleep when everything goes their own way. And I knew I had to be alert for all 12 rounds.”
Noakes built his reputation on He showed he could punch on command and took 12 rounds to beat Mendy to win the European title. And he was preparing for another long night. Nokes believes the bloodthirsty Walsh has what it takes to hear the final bell.
“If I’m being brutally honest with you. I probably did because he didn’t stop in him and he never was stopped. And he’s there with a lot of good people, so if I do it, he’ll probably say the same thing, ‘If you do it, fair play to you’.”
John Evans has contributed to a number of high-profile publications and websites for over a decade. You can follow John at @John_Evans79
