{{short description|English boxer (born 1997)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox boxer |name=Sam Noakes |image= |image_size= |caption= |realname= |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1997|07|20|df=y}}<ref name=noakes> {{cite web|url=https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/234079-sam-noakes|title=Sam Noakes|publisher=tapology.com|access-date=2024-05-13}}</ref> |birth_place=Maidstone, Kent, England |nationality= |nickname=Midge<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/news/midge-looking-for-his-16th-knockout-in-world-title-fight-332535/|title=Boxer Sam 'Midge' Noakes given plenty of support for world lightweight title challenge in his home town of Maidstone|publisher=Kent Online|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref> |weight=Lightweight |height=5ft 8ins<ref name=noakes/> |reach= |style=Orthodox |boxrec=894112 |total=19 |wins=18 |KO=16 |losses=1 |draws= |no contests= }}
'''Sam Noakes''' (born 20 July 1997) is an English professional boxer. He challenged for the WBO lightweight title in 2025. Noakes is a former British, European and Commonwealth lightweight champion.
==Career== After an amateur career boxing out of Westree ABC which included winning the England Boxing National Amateur Championships light-welterweight title, Noakes turned professional in July 2019 signing a four-year contract with Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/noakes-turns-pro-with-warren-208667/|title= Maidstone boxer Sam Noakes signs four-year deal with legendary promoter Frank Warren |work=Kent Online|date= 22 July 2019|accessdate=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ringnews24.com/2019/09/02/sam-noakes-turns-professional-with-frank-warren/|title=Sam Noakes turns professional with Frank Warren|date=2 September 2019 |publisher=Ring News 24|access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref>
His first pro-fight was on 27 September 2019 at the Royal Albert Hall in London when he won via stoppage after his opponent, Chris Adaway, quit on his stool before the final round.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/dream-debut-for-noakes-213347/ |title= Maidstone boxer Sam Noakes thrills his army of fans with debut victory at the Royal Albert Hall |work=Kent Online|date= 2 October 2019|accessdate=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=preview/>
In just his eighth outing, Noakes won his first title in the paid ranks by stopping Shaun Cooper in the ninth round at the Copper Box Arena in London to claim the vacant WBC International Silver lightweight championship on 4 December 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/champ-noakes-signs-new-deal-with-warren-258895/|title=Maidstone boxer Sam Noakes on winning his first pro title and landing a new deal with promoter Frank Warren|publisher=Kent Online|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/sam-noakes-reflects-on-last-fight-looks-ahead-march-19-return|title=Sam Noakes Reflects on Last Fight, Looks Ahead To March 19 Return|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref>
He successfully defended the title with a fourth round stoppage of Vincenzo Finiello at Wembley Arena in London on 19 March 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fpi.it/pro-boxe/news/sconfitta-a-londra-per-vincenzo-finiello.html|title=Sconfitta a Londra per Vincenzo Finiello|publisher=Pro Boxe News (in Italian)|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref>
Noakes claimed the vacant Commonwealth lightweight title on 26 November 2022, defeating Calvin McCord by technical knockout in round four at The O2 Arena in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/commonwealth-double-for-maidstone-fighters-277838/ |title= Maidstone boxers Sam Noakes and Dennis McCann win Commonwealth titles at the 02 Arena |work=Kent Online|date= 26 November 2022 |accessdate=21 April 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/sam-noakes-floors-calvin-mccord-four-times-scores-4th-round-knockout-o2--170732|title=Sam Noakes Floors Calvin McCord Four Times, Scores 4th Round Knockout At The O2|publisher=TNT Sports|access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref>
A second round stoppage of Karthik Sathish Kumar saw Noakes retain his Commonwealth and WBC International Silver belts at the Copper Box Arena in London on 15 April 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://talksport.com/boxing/1395423/sam-noakes-makes-opponent-turn-back-knock-down-twice-stops-100-ko-record/|title=Sam Noakes makes opponent turn his back as he knocks him down twice and stops him to maintain 100 per cent KO record|publisher=Talksport|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref>
Next, with his WBC International Silver title on the line, he secured a 12th successive win inside the distance thanks to a fourth round technical knockout victory over Carlos Perez at York Hall in London on 1 December 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/sam-noakes-keeps-knockout-streak-going-blasts-out-carlos-perez|title=Sam Noakes Keeps Knockout Streak Going, Blasts Out Carlos Perez|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref>
On 10 February 2024, Noakes won the vacant British and WBO International lightweight titles by stopping Lewis Sylvester in the fourth round at the Copper Box Arena in London.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/brilliant-noakes-wins-british-title-301619/ |title= Sam Noakes stops Lewis Sylvester in four rounds to achieve his dream of winning the British lightweight title. 'The world is his oyster' says manager Francis Warren |work=Kent Online|date= 10 February 2024|accessdate=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/boxing/sam-noakes-becomes-british-lightweight-champion-with-dominant-victory-over-lewis-sylvester-at-copper_sto10016953/story.shtml|title=Sam Noakes becomes British lightweight champion with dominant victory over Lewis Sylvester at Copper Box Arena|publisher=TNT Sports|access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/sam-noakes-batters-lewis-sylvester-become-british-lightweight-champion--181349|title=Sam Noakes Batters Lewis Sylvester To Become British Lightweight Champion|publisher=Boxing Scene|access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref>
Despite being taken the distance for the first time in his professional career, Noakes became European lightweight champion with a unanimous points victory over Frenchman Yvan Mendy in a fight for the vacant title held at York Hall in London on 20 April 2024. All three ringside judges scored the contest as a 120–108 shutout in his favour.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/68866275|title= Sam Noakes v Yvan Mendy: Kent fighter wins European lightweight title but loses perfect knockout record|work=BBC Sport|date= 20 April 2024|accessdate=21 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/noakes-goes-distance-emphatic-win-over-mendy--182989 |title= Noakes Goes the Distance in Emphatic Win over Mendy|work=Boxing Scene|date= 20 April 2024|accessdate=21 April 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/boxing/sam-noakes-claims-european-lightweight-title-with-comprehensive-decision-win-over-yvan-mendy_sto10110469/story.shtml|title=Sam Noakes claims European lightweight title with comprehensive decision win over Yvan Mendy|publisher=TNT Sports|access-date=2024-06-12}}</ref>
He made a successful first defence of his European title against mandatory challenger Gianluca Ceglia from Italy at York Hall on 6 September 2024, when his opponent retired on his stool at the end of round eight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/sam-noakes-retains-european-lightweight-title-with-stoppage-win-against-gianluca-ceglia/|title=Sam Noakes retains European lightweight title with stoppage win against Gianluca Ceglia|date=6 September 2024 |publisher=Boxing News Online|accessdate=6 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/boxing/sam-noakes-gianluca-ceglia-york-hall_sto20035182/story.shtml|title=Sam Noakes defends European Lightweight title with eighth-round stoppage of Gianluca Ceglia at York Hall|publisher=TNT Sports|accessdate=6 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/cm2nmny18m1o|title=Noakes dominant in European title defence victory|date=6 September 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=6 September 2024}}</ref> In October 2024, Noakes signed an extension to his promotional contract with Queensbury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/moses-itauma-hamzah-sheeraz-nick-ball-more-commit-queensberry--186727|title=Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz, Nick Ball and more commit to Queensberry|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=29 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/cqlr5ndynp9o|title=Sheeraz, Ball & Itauma sign new deals with Warren|date=29 October 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=29 October 2024}}</ref>
Noakes defended his British, Commonwealth and WBO International titles with a unanimous decision win over Ryan Walsh at Wembley Arena in London on 7 December 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/sam-noakes-dominates-ryan-walsh-retain-lightweight-titles--200578|title=Sam Noakes dominates Ryan Walsh to retain lightweight titles|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=7 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/sam-noakes-dominates-ryan-walsh-over-12-rounds/|title=Sam Noakes dominates Ryan Walsh over 12 rounds|date=7 December 2024 |publisher=Boxing News Online|accessdate=7 December 2024}}</ref> He was named the 2024 European Boxing Union male champion of the year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/reviewing-results-of-the-ebus-general-assembly|title=Reviewing results of the EBU's general assembly|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=13 June 2025}}</ref>
Having vacated his European title a month earlier,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/sam-noakes-vacates-european-lightweight-title-to-pursue-shakur-stevenson|title=Sam Noakes Vacates European Lightweight Title To Pursue Shakur Stevenson|date=27 March 2025 |publisher=The Ring|accessdate=10 May 2025}}</ref> Noakes stopped Patrik Balaz in the third of a scheduled eight-round contest at Nottingham Arena on 10 May 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/anthony-cacace-vs-leigh-wood-live-undercard-results|title=Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood Undercard: Owen Cooper Pips Chris Kongo, Sam Noakes Adds 15th KO|date=10 May 2025 |publisher=The Ring|accessdate=10 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/for-sam-noakes-the-wait-is-almost-over|title=For Sam Noakes, the wait is almost over|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref>
Fighting outside of England for the first time, Noakes faced fellow unbeaten boxer, Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO lightweight title at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 22 November 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/noakes-i-believe-i-m-going-to-win-world-title-332813/|title=Sam Noakes believes he will beat Abdullah Mason and be crowned WBO world lightweight champion in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night|publisher=Kent Online|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/underdog-sam-noakes-happy-for-world-to-judge-him-once-he-beats-abdullah-mason|title=Underdog Sam Noakes Happy For World To Judge Him, Once He Beats Abdullah Mason|date=9 November 2025 |publisher=The Ring|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref> He lost via unanimous decision with the judges scorecards reading 113–115, 113–115 and 111–117.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.badlefthook.com/boxing-results/111625/abdullah-mason-wins-wbo-lightweight-title-in-war-with-sam-noakes|title=Abdullah Mason wins WBO lightweight title in war with Sam Noakes|publisher=badlefthook.com|accessdate=23 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/abdullah-mason-captures-lightweight-title-in-stiff-test-from-sam-noakes|title=Abdullah Mason captures lightweight title in stiff test from Sam Noakes|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=23 November 2025}}</ref>
On 3 May 2026, Noakes made a low-key return to the competitive boxing ring, facing Benito Sanchez Garcia in a scheduled eight-round contest at York Hall in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/grounded-sam-noakes-is-returning-from-date-with-abdullah-mason-on-the-small-hall-scene|title=Grounded: Sam Noakes is returning from date with Abdullah Mason on the small-hall scene|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=4 May 2026}}</ref> He got back to winning ways by stopping his opponent in the second round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/boxing-news-inoue-bam-nakatani-noakes/ccaqvj1o032p1onbol0o13dd3|title=DAZN News Daily Round-Up: Inoue open to 'Bam', Noakes back on top|publisher=DAZN|accessdate=4 May 2026}}</ref>
==Personal life== Noakes' older brother Sean is also a professional boxer.<ref name=preview/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/boxing-brothers-on-same-wembley-bill-316866/|title=Maidstone brothers Sam Noakes and Sean Noakes to box on same bill for the first time at Wembley Arena on Saturday night|date=5 December 2024 |publisher=Kent Online|accessdate=7 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/sam-and-sean-noakes-are-lifting-each-other-to-new-heights/|title=Sam and Sean Noakes are lifting each other to new heights|date=30 October 2024 |publisher=Boxing News Online|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref> He had jobs in a call centre, fast food restaurant and as a roofer before taking up boxing full-time.<ref name=preview>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/articles/c5ypywg0wgro|title=From roofing, railways & running to world title shot|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 November 2025}}</ref>
==Professional boxing record== {{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=16 |ko-losses=0 |dec-wins=2 |dec-losses=1 |dq-wins= |dq-losses= }} {|class=wikitable style=text-align:center |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |19 |{{yes2}}Win |18–1 |align=left|Benito Sanchez Garcia |TKO |2 (8), {{small|2:44}} |3 May 2026 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} | |- |18 |{{no2}}Loss |17–1 |align=left|Abdullah Mason |UD |12 |22 Nov 2025 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|ANB Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For vacant WBO lightweight title}} |- |17 |{{yes2}}Win |17–0 |align=left|Patrik Balaz |{{abbr|KO|Knockout}} |3 (8), {{small|2:17}} |10 May 2025 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England}} | |- |16 |{{yes2}}Win |16–0 |align=left|Ryan Walsh |UD |12 |7 Dec 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Wembley Arena, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained the British, Commonwealth and WBO International lightweight titles}} |- |15 |{{yes2}}Win |15–0 |align=left|Gianluca Ceglia |{{abbr|RTD|Retired}} |8 (12), {{small|3:00}} |6 Sep 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained the European lightweight title}} |- |14 |{{yes2}}Win |14–0 |align=left|Yvan Mendy |{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |12 |20 Apr 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant European lightweight title}} |- |13 |{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |align=left|Lewis Sylvester |TKO |4 (12), {{small|2:10}} |10 Feb 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Commonwealth and WBC International Silver lightweight titles<br/>Won vacant British and WBO International lightweight titles}} |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |align=left|Carlos Perez |TKO |4 (10), {{small|1:16}} |1 Dec 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC International Silver lightweight title}} |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align=left|Karthik Sathish Kumar |TKO |2 (12), {{small|1:17}} |15 Apr 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained Commonwealth and WBC International Silver lightweight titles}} |- |10 |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |align=left|Calvin McCord |TKO |4 (12), {{small|2:14}} |26 Nov 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The O2 Arena, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC International Silver lightweight title;<br/>Won vacant Commonwealth lightweight title}} |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|Vincenzo Finiello |TKO |4 (10), {{small|1:54}} |19 Mar 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Wembley Arena, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBC International Silver lightweight title}} |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|Shaun Cooper |TKO |9 (10), {{small|1:35}} |4 Dec 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant WBC International Silver lightweight title}} |- |7 |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|Naeem Ali |TKO |2 (6), {{small|3:00}} |24 Jul 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Wembley Arena, London, England}} | |- |6 |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|Lee Connelly |TKO |3 (6), {{small|3:00}} |10 Jul 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}} | |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|Delmar Thomas |TKO |1 (8), {{small|1:50}} |27 Feb 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} | |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|Jordan Ellison |TKO |5 (6), {{small|1:28}} |20 Aug 2020 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|BT Sport Studio, London, England}} | |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|Des Newton |TKO |1 (6), {{small|3:00}} |22 Feb 2020 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} | |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|Daryl Pearce |TKO |3 (4), {{small|2:07}} |21 Dec 2019 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} | |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|Chris Adaway |{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |3 (4), {{small|3:00}} |27 Sep 2019 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Royal Albert Hall, London, England}} | |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Noakes, Sam}} Category:Living people Category:1997 births Category:English male boxers Category:British male boxers Category:Lightweight boxers Category:Light-welterweight boxers Category:Sportspeople from Maidstone Category:Sportspeople from Kent Category:Commonwealth Boxing Council champions Category:European Boxing Union champions Category:British Boxing Board of Control champions Category:21st-century English sportsmen