It was in December that Sam Noakes, targeting the then-WBO lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk, first expected to fight for a world title. Nine months on, following the confirmation of the date of November 25 against Abdullah Mason for the same title, he is continuing to wait.
“It’s almost hard,” he told BoxingScene. “‘Cause it’s so far away I can’t have a 20-week camp; I’m chomping at the bit to get to it and get training, but I’ve got to be a little bit cleverer with how long you do it, because the last thing you want to do is burn out. Your timing’s very key with this sort of stuff.
“I will be watching a few more of his fights. I’ve not watched a lot of it but I’ve still got 16 weeks – I don’t want to end up driving myself mad with him. It’s hard, innit? Everyone else is excited about the fight – I’m excited. My family; everyone’s chomping at the bit, but you’ve got to hold back a little bit. The last thing I want to do is start too early and then be sick of it. I’ve had me holiday, got back, I’m ready to get me nut down, and build into it slowly and peak exactly when I need to.
“I’m back in the gym tonight, and we’re just gonna do it cleverly. I’m probably gonna have a few rounds sparring and that – nothing too major – and then once we get 10, 12 weeks out, get serious, do you know what I’m saying? I’ve been ticking over. I’m always in the gym anyway.”
The 28-year-old Noakes and Mason will, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, contest the vacant title stripped from Keyshawn Davis, Berinchyk’s conqueror, for failing to make weight. Mason, 21 years old and a 19-fight professional, has been groomed for greatness by Top Rank, so proven at developing champions, since fighting for the first time in November 2021; by comparison the ascent of Maidstone’s Noakes has been considerably lower key.
Since walking to the ring to make his debut over two years earlier than Mason he has won 17 fights – 15 inside the distance – and matured into one of the world’s heaviest-handed and physically strongest lightweights. As with others guided by his promoters Queensberry Promotions, he has consistently improved and proven that he deserves the opportunity that is about to come.
His opponent in December, and in London, was instead his fellow Englishman Ryan Walsh, who Noakes dominated so convincingly he ought to have been rescued before the final bell brought confirmation that he had lost every round. In May, aware that a fight with Davis was likely imminent, Noakes eased to a third-round stoppage of the Czech Republic’s Patrik Balaz in an attempt to remain active and free of any potential rust. On the undercard of Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez-Fernando Daniel Martinez, in the same city he had been on course to challenge Berinchyk, Mason, ultimately, will instead be the one on the other side of the ring.
“We come through that [against Walsh] with flying colours,” Noakes said. “We nearly got the world-title shot in December against Denys Berinchyk but that was so close that even when I went out to Saudi to watch that show [Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury II], they had my face and his face on the memorabilia – the t-shirts and that. So we knew it was coming.
“After the fight in Nottingham I got elevated to number one with the WBO, and a week after that Keyshawn Davis misses weight and I got a call from my coach [Alan Smith]. ‘We’re just waiting for everything to be confirmed, but it’s looking like that could be for you next’, and then a few weeks later it got confirmed and I’ve obviously been buzzing ever since.
“I knew Ryan Walsh would be a tough fight. I was quite chatty with his brothers – he comes from a fighting family. All three of them can fight. I knew he’d be a tricky customer. But I believe in what I do, and it sort of paid off on the night, really. He’s a testament to himself – he was very tough, weren’t he?
“We had talks about doing another one in between [Balaz and Mason], but it’d be more of a risk than a reward, really. The ratio wouldn’t quite work out, so that’s why we’re sitting tight. But I’ve been in the gym and sparring the boys as well – we’ve got a lot of southpaws in the gym, so it’s all working out alright. It wouldn’t have been very good for my career, sitting out for a year, so having a little run out in Nottingham, I stayed out there, made the weight and it all worked out lovely. It’s experience, innit? It’s another one under the belt, and it puts me in good stead for November.
“As soon as we got into the number-two spot with the WBO you know it’s around the corner. ‘What’s your plan?’ You can have a baseline plan, but things change with a phone call. Even last year, ‘Do you want to fight Denys Berinchyk in Saudi for the world title?’ ‘Yeah, course I do,’ and that never come off. It can change so quick. It’s somewhere we know we’re gonna get to anyway, so now the phone call’s been made and the opportunity’s arisen, I’m ready to grab it with both hands.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed about since turning pro. It’s easily said, ‘I want to fight for world titles’. I’ve always believed that and I’ve always believed I’ll get to that point, but it’s very surreal – you’re now there. Even, for example, being flown out to New York for a [press conference]. It’s all coming together. All them times when you didn’t wanna do it and you still did, and all the discipline over the years, is finally starting to pay off. I’m really enjoying getting into the camp and having the whole experience and getting out to Saudi; the flowers on arrival; the fight week; the grand arrivals; all the red carpets. I just think it’s gonna be a great experience.”
For all of Mason’s promise, Noakes is not the underdog he was on course to be against Davis. That the sense of timing of Frank Warren’s Queensberry has often proven as effective as Top Rank’s contributes to the school of thought that Noakes’ size and power has the potential to undermine Mason’s abilities before the American has a chance to reach and understand his physical peak. He is a superior opponent to Berinchyk but inferior to Davis, according to Noakes. It is also relevant that they are fighting in Riyadh, and not anywhere in the US.
“He’s very good, in’t he?,” he said. “A great fighter. His record speaks for itself; only being 21 as well. We ain’t gonna get no easy world-title fights, unfortunately. We know it’s gonna be tough. He’s sharp; he hits hard, but it’s nothing we can’t deal with. I know I’ve breezed through my fights but the sparring I’ve got in the gym – the people I’ve sparred – it sort of gets you ready for all that, so I’ve not seen anything I’m worried about.
“I’ve got to take precautions because he’s a great fighter, isn’t he? Otherwise he wouldn’t be in the position he is. But on the flip side of that, I’m a great fighter, and that’s why I’m where I’m at. So it’s just a good fight – the build-up’s gonna be good, and I think it’s going to be a real fan-friendly fight, because he likes to have a tear up and so do I, so hopefully it’ll steal the show.
“That’s the beauty of it. Technically, he’s probably a better boxer than I am, but for physicality, I don’t think there’s much comparison. That’s what makes it such a good 50-50 fight. There’s obviously pros and cons of both fighters, that complement the other one. He’s got himself into that position with no handouts or whatever. He’s a great fighter. I just think I’m going to be too strong for him and not like anyone he’s ever been in with. I don’t feel like you can mimic my style as much. Everyone’s got good, slick southpaws – do you know what I’m saying? He’s not at his peak – he’s 21. But I’m not focused on that, ‘cause he’s still probably been knocking out geezers fucking 30 years old. I’m not thinking, ‘Because he’s 21, I’m definitely gonna win’. It’s not a given. But I do feel I’m coming into my prime. I’m 28 – I’m nearly over the hill.
“One hundred per cent [Mason’s better than Berinchyk]. He’s fresh, in’t he? He’s on the way up.
“[Davis is] another great fighter. I’m probably happier that it’s Abdullah Mason than I am Keyshawn Davis, but they’re both going to be tough fights and both have problems; difficulties to get over. Unfortunately, there are no easy world-title fights.
“It’s more neutral, innit? For me as well, it’s less of a time difference. It’s only a few hours. I’ve been there. I know how it works. I know the dynamic of it over there. It probably is the best. [But] to be honest it wouldn’t bother me being the away fighter anyway, ‘cause I don’t think this fight goes the distance. I don’t think it’s gonna be a points victory.”
Victory, where his fellow Britons Joe Cordina and Josh Padley have previously lost when fighting for world titles, would establish him as Britain’s leading lightweight. It would also – courtesy of defeating the revered Mason, particularly if his prediction of a stoppage proves accurate – move him into contention for unification contests with Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Raymond Muratalla,
“We’ve been after them fights for a little while anyway – we’ve offered Padley fights; we’ve offered Cordina fights; it never come off,” he said. “If I get back and I’ve got the world title, I’m more than game to do it. Cordina would be a brilliant fight – he’s a great fighter. That’d be a very good fight – it’d probably sell out somewhere over here. Get that title, I’d be more than happy for that fight. Even then, probably chase another world title.
“Trust me, I’d fight any of those other ones. Put a little two-fight deal in [place]. Be sweet, mate.”
