Sam Noakes continued his spectacular rise by means of the ranks.
The unbeaten light-weight made the primary protection of his EBU title with an eighth-round stoppage of Gianluca Ceglia. The comparatively one-sided affair ended when Ceglia was unable to proceed after the eighth spherical of their TNT Sports activities principal occasion Friday at York Corridor, Bethnal Inexperienced, London.
Noakes (15-0, 14 knockouts) received the belt in opposition to veteran Yvan Mendy by way of choice in April. It marked the lone time he went the space however in a twelve-round shutout.
There was no shock that he was far too superior for Italy’s Ceglia, who made his second try on the EBU title.
Noakes saved Ceglia (21-5-1, 4 KOs) trustworthy along with his stiff jab and lefts hooks to the physique. Over the course of some rounds the physique work paid dividends and slowed the challenger, who was displaying indicators of battle as early because the second spherical.
Noakes, who can also be the British and Commonwealth champion, was on the defensive within the third-round earlier than storming again within the forth-round and commonly had Ceglia protecting up on the ropes.
By the sixth-round Noakes, who entered as a 1/25 betting favourite, had utterly asserted his dominance and it appeared a matter of time with Ceglia trying weary. Whereas it appeared the Italian was there for the taking Noakes continued to probe however by no means actually put his foot down.
The tendering continued within the seventh and eighth earlier than a disconsolate Ceglia returned to his nook with seen injury to his proper eye. He had had sufficient and his nook knowledgeable referee who waved off the competition.
When @SamNoakes3 piles on the stress, his opponents are compelled to yield… and he’s again on the KO streak 🙌💥#NoakesCeglia | @boxingontnt pic.twitter.com/rSCZDBBbgR
— Queensberry Promotions (@Queensberry) September 6, 2024
Afterwards Noakes, his coach Alan Smith and supervisor Francis Warren spoke to TNT Sports activities.
“I believe his expertise confirmed, it was a harder battle than I believed it might be nevertheless it was good rounds,” stated Noakes. “He was fairly powerful, it was a very good studying battle as a result of everyone seems to be speaking about these massive boys however I’ve nonetheless solely had 15 fights. I do know I’ve received so much to study, I’m not at my greatest but and fights like this are going to convey me on.”
His coach, Smith, felt it was a extra strong than spectacular efficiency.
“[Ceglia’s] very powerful and really sturdy, he’s been round,” stated the skilled coach. “You aint at all times going to look devastating each time, he appeared nice final time, this time he did what he wanted to do in opposition to the obligatory challenger. It’s one other step nearer to the world title.”
Which introduced in Warren, who has guided Noakes expertly up to now.
“Rounds like tonight will show invaluable when that chance does current itself,” stated Warren. “Sam is the very best light-weight in Europe and he’s proved it in opposition to a really powerful man.
“We take every battle because it comes, clearly there are names we’d prefer to chase after however the alternatives will current themselves. He’s the WBO Worldwide champion and Denys Berinchyk holds that world title in order that appears the pure path to take.”
In chief assist, Masood Abdulah stopped George Stewart late within the twelfth Spherical to win the vacant commonwealth featherweight title.
The 2 engaged in an thrilling affair all through. Abdulah (11-0, 8 KOs) had Stewart (7-1, 1 KO) harm and compelled the stoppage within the closing seconds of the battle.
He later referred to as out British champion Nathaniel Collins, who vacated the commonwealth title, to face him subsequent.
