Sam Noakes: Will Britain's biggest prospect at lightweight make it into world title contention?
US fighters dominate the top end of the lightweight division, with all roads seemingly leading to the American pair of Gervonta 'Tank' Davis and Shakur Stevenson.
In comparison, British boxing is currently suffering a drought of stars at lightweight.
Former world champion Joe Cordina will shortly enter the fray after moving up from super-featherweight, while Josh Padley showed potential as a late replacement to fight Stevenson in February, a credible defeat that enabled the Yorkshireman to become a full-time professional.
But the UK's biggest prospect in the division remains Sam Noakes, 16-0 (14 KOs), who is earning his flowers after a strong start to his career.
Nicknamed 'Midge', Noakes is in action this evening as he takes on former Czech super-welterweight champion Patrik Balaz, on the card headlined by Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood.
Even looking past both Davis and Stevenson, who are in the conversation for the best pound-for-pound fighters currently active, there are plenty of Americans with impressive records in one of boxing's glamour divisions.
Keyshawn Davis is the WBO title holder at lightweight, another unbeaten American in the division. Raymond Muratalla, who fights for the IBF interim world title this Friday is another US fighter at the top end of the 135lb pool. And then there is Lamont Roach, who received plaudits for his draw with Tank back in March, highlighting the competitiveness of the American lightweight scene.
Comparisons between the American and UK lightweight landscapes might be futile, with all fighters targeting world glory rather than domestic honours. Despite Noakes's exploits at home, he is yet to get his chance outside of the British Isles.
That is despite Noakes having held the Commonwealth, European, WBO international, and WBC international silver titles at different points in his unbeaten career. In fact, the man they call Midge has been involved in nine straight title fights, first fighting for honours in his eighth bout.
Saturday's bout will be the first in a while where Noakes is not fighting to either earn or defend a belt. Hailing from Kent, Noakes has always been active since his professional debut in 2019. However, he has been non-stop in the last year, fighting four times in 2024.
He has not just been kept busy with fights, but also his sparring sessions. Noakes was brought in to work with Stevenson ahead of the American's bout with Padley in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, leaving his fellow lightweight impressed.
Stevenson told Queensbury Promotions: 'Truthfully, I ain't gonna lie, he's probably one of the strongest fighters I've been in the ring at 135lb.
'He's got a lot of power, and he's real tough, too. A good fighter. I think he may knock out Denys Berinchyk [former WBO world lightweight champion], but he can't beat Keyshawn. Keyshawn is a different animal.'
Holder of the WBO's international belt, Noakes is currently ranked second by the organisation. Who stands ahead of him? Americans Keyshawn Davis and Raymond Muratalla. It seems Noakes might have to travel across the pond to fulfil his dreams of becoming a world champion.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
41 minutes ago
- Reuters
Marc Marquez wins Aragon Grand Prix sprint ahead of brother Alex
June 7 (Reuters) - Ducati's world championship leader Marc Marquez recovered from a poor start to win Saturday's sprint at the Aragon Grand Prix ahead of his brother Alex and Fermin Aldeguer of Gresini Racing. Marc's seventh sprint victory of the season in eight rounds moved him 27 points clear of Alex in the championship, with the Ducati rider winning by more than two seconds.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
URC semi-final: Build-up as Leinster host defending champions Glasgow
Update: Date: 14:40 BST Title: Smith confident Glasgow peaking at right time for semi-final Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith believes his side have put their recent heavy European defeat against Leinster behind them as they return to Dublin to face the favourites in the URC semi-finals on Saturday. Warriors were whitewashed 52-0 in their Champions Cup quarter-final but Smith has consigned that to history and says his side are peaking at the right time, as planned, despite being underdogs. "I think that's something of the past," he said. "Different competition. We've learned from it and we've moved on. "We've planned from the first day of pre-season how we want to look and how you want to shape up in the final [games]. "We've handled the season well. We've managed to get some of our players back from injury and we allowed them back into the environment at the right time and hopefully we're in a good place, now that we're going to the semi." Smith knows his reigning champions face a stiff test to reach back-to-back finals, citing the players' mindset as key. "It's everything and I think every game is about the mindset," he said. "The difficulty is to maintain that for 39 weeks in the year. The mindset and approach and attitude in a final game is obviously the main ingredient. "We've got to be on top of our game. They've got a world-class team, they've proven it in the Test match arena, they've proven it in this competition. It's a class outfit. "It's going to be a tough challenge. The only way we're going to get better and keep on growing and progressing is if we challenge ourselves to be the best version of ourselves." Update: Date: 14:36 BST Title: Fatigue not an issue for Leinster - Nienaber Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) For much of the Leinster squad, the past month has stirred a broad spectrum of emotions. There was the agony of an Investec Champions Cup semi-final loss at home to Northampton, denying the province a shot at redemption after a hat-trick of final defeats in the previous three seasons. Just a few days later, the bulk of the squad were confronted with the whirlwind that is British and Irish Lions squad announcement day. For most of them, it was good news, but for those who missed out it was another bitter pill so soon after their Champions Cup demise. Jacques Nienaber - under whom the team's defence has thrived - does not sense depleted levels of energy or focus within the group. "No, not at all," said the 52-year-old South African. "We're cracking on. It's a privilege for any team to be involved in the knock-out stages. "It's a privilege for us definitely to be testing ourselves against Glasgow this weekend, the reigning champions, who obviously understand how to play knock-out games if you look at what they did last year. It's a privilege to test ourselves against a quality side like that." Update: Date: 14:32 BST Title: Can Glasgow take advantage of Leinster's 'performance anxiety'? Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Former European Cup winner with Leinster Bernard Jackman spoke on BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast this week and hinted that there is a bit of 'performance anxiety' for the boys in blue. You can read the best bits of Jackman's comments here Update: Date: 14:29 BST Title: Glasgow look to bust Aviva curse Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45) Andy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at Aviva Stadium, Dublin If Glasgow are to advance to a second successive URC final they'll have to do something no Scottish side - club or international - has ever done - win at the Aviva Stadium. This place has been a graveyard for Scottish sides down the years, not least when Leinster crushed Warriors 52-0 here in the Champions Cup quarter-final eight weeks ago. A shadow Glasgow side put up a much sterner test when going down 13-5 in the URC three weeks ago, and after a stirring showing in dispatching the Stormers in the quarter-finals last week, there's a sense that Warriors are starting to put it together at the right time once again. Leinster on the other hand are having a bit of a wobble after their shock Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Northampton, and while they undoubtedly remain strong favourites, this match is not the mismatch it may have looked a few short weeks ago. Update: Date: 14:25 BST Title: Team News Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Ireland full-back Hugo Keenan will miss today's game in what is a blow to Leo Cullen's men. Keenan, who was named in the British and Irish Lions squad last month, is not included in Leo Cullen's matchday squad for the Aviva Stadium contest with the holders after picking up a calf injury. The 28-year-old, who produced a player-of-the-match display in last week's quarter-final win over Scarlets, is replaced by Jimmy O'Brien in the 15 shirt. With Jimmy O'Brien switching to full-back, Tommy O'Brien replaces his him on the right wing after missing the Scarlets game through injury. Dan Sheehan returns at hooker, with Ronan Kelleher dropping to the bench, while Scott Penny replaces the injured Josh van der Flier at open-side flanker. In addition to Van der Flier, Garry Ringrose and Tadhg Furlong are also unavailable. Glasgow make two changes from their quarter-final win over the Stormers, with Fin Richardson replacing Murphy Walker at tight-head prop. Adam Hastings starts at fly-half with Tom Jordan moving to inside centre and Stafford McDowall dropping to the bench. Glasgow are without Huw Jones, Matt Fagerson, Jack Dempsey and Zander Fagerson. Leinster: Jimmy O'Brien; Tommy O'Brien, Jamie Osborne, Jordie Barrett, James Lowe; Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Thomas Clarkson, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Scott Penny, Jack Conan (capt) Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Jack Boyle, Rabah Slimani, RG Snyman, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Ross Byrne, Ciaran Frawley Glasgow: Josh McKay; Kyle Steyn (capt), Sione Tuipulotu, Tom Jordan, Kyle Rowe; Adam Hastings, George Horne; Jamie Bhatti, George Hiddleston, Fin Richardson, Alex Samuel, Scott Cummings, Euan Ferrie, Rory Darge, Henco Venter Replacements: Johnny Matthews, Rory Sutherland, Sam Talakai, Max Williamson, Jack Mann, Macenzzie Duncan, Stafford McDowall, Jamie Dobie Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy) Update: Date: 14:16 BST Title: Welcome to the Aviva Stadium Content: Leinster v Glasgow Warriors (14:45 BST) Hello and welcome to our coverage of the first United Rugby Championship semi-final of the day as Leinster host Glasgow Warriors. Franco Smith's men have already been put to the sword twice here in as many months but the defending champions arrive in Dublin full of confidence after their 36-18 quarter-final victory over the Stormers. Leinster, meanwhile, will be hoping it is second time lucky in a semi-final here after their shock defeat to Northampton in the Champions Cup last four just 35 days ago. They are back at the Aviva today a week after defeating the Scarlets 33-21 on the same ground. Can Leo Cullen's men make their first final since winning in 2021 or will the Warriors win in the Irish capital for the first time in six years and earn a spot in a second consecutive final in South Africa? It is sure to be a thriller. Thank you for joining us.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
James expected to start at left-back as Tuchel prepares to experiment against Andorra
Reece James is in line to be trialled at left-back by England manager Thomas Tuchel in what promises to be an experimental and attacking starting line-up against Andorra in Barcelona this evening. Tuchel's most natural defensive midfielder Declan Rice is expected to be among the substitutes, which points to the England head coach sending his team out very much on the front foot. It is understood that James has been primed to play on the left side with Curtis Jones potentially starting as an inverted right-back and Rice being given a rest. That may open the door for Jordan Henderson, who has not started for England since November 2023, to make an appearance in midfield. Conor Gallagher has been left out of the matchday squad. On Friday, James said that his preferred position is at right-back but Tuchel needs to look at his options on the left with Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelley the only natural left-back in his squad. Tuchel has previously said that he does not believe James is suited to midfield, despite him playing in that role for Chelsea under Enzo Maresca. Asked about his best position, James said: 'My preferred position is right-back. I've been playing there for a number of years now.' Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa is in line to play in the centre of defence with Newcastle United's Dan Burn hoping to be given another chance to impress Tuchel. Chelsea star Cole Palmer is said to have been England's best performer in training in Spain and he may be rewarded with a role in what should be an attacking England line-up that could also include his club team-mate Noni Madueke, captain Harry Kane and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers. Bukayo Saka has been left out of the squad after Tuchel revealed that the Arsenal forward had only completed one full training session during the week due to a small fitness issue. It was confirmed on Friday that Ollie Watkins would be leaving the squad to return to England as precaution due to a minor injury.
