Heavy-Handed British Lightweight Eyes World Title Shot

Undefeated lightweight contender Sam Noakes (14-0, 13 KOs) is the British, Commonwealth and European lightweight champion, defending his European strap against Gianluca Ceglia on September 6. Despite this mandatory defence, the heavy-handed Noakes is aiming for a world title shot and speaking to BoxingScene, he has revealed which champion he would rather face.

Sam Noakes Looking for World Title Shot After Gianluca Ceglia Fight

Sam Noakes Identifies Lightweight World Champion He Wants to Face

Noakes will be taking on Ceglia next, but Noakes is already looking at the current lightweight champions: “If you get yourself in that mandatory spot then they don’t really have a choice, do they?” The Brit continued: “I’m ranked with the WBO. (William) Zepeda’s been ordered to fight Shakur; I don’t know who Berinchyk’s fighting but out of the four world champions I’d rather that one.”

Looking at the other big names in the division, Noakes said: “You’ve got to say either Shakur or Gervonta Davis (are the divisional leaders). Lomachenko once upon a time but he’s sort of getting over the hill a little bit, isn’t he? Probably between them two.”

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Noakes then made it clear he is prepared to fight any of the champions, but once again lent towards Berinchyk: “Where they’re such big names, it’s more money, isn’t it? I don’t mind – I’ll fight either one of them for a world title. It wouldn’t bother me which one.” He continued: “(But) if I could choose it would be Berinchyk, because stylistically – and he’s older, isn’t he? Any one of them would be main event on a big card in Vegas. Your name up there – it’s what we’re in the sport for, isn’t it? I’ve just got to keep biding my time until I get to that sort of situation where I can be in them sort of fights.”

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead to the future the Maidstone fighter said: “The opportunities for me are at this weight. I make it – I’m not saying I’m singing and dancing. I ain’t. But I make it alright – well enough that I feel fit and I feel strong. Even the last fight [April’s victory over Yvan Mendy] I done 12 rounds, no problem. Just, 12 rounds is a long time – you’re meant to come out feeling tired.”

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Noakes continued: “I think I’ve got another few years (at 135lbs). I’m campaigning for a world title at lightweight.”

Mapping out the rest of the year, the European lightweight champion revealed his two-fight plan for the rest of 2024: “September 6th will be the first one, and then another fight in December.”