Sam Noakes taken the distance for the first time by Yvan Mendy in European lightweight title fight
Maidstone’s Sam Noakes (14-0, 13KO) beat Frenchman Yvan Mendy (48-7-1, 22KO) on points to win the European lightweight title at London’s York Hall on Saturday, April 20.
Scores of 120-108 x3 provides clear evidence of Sam’s dominance on the night.
The shutout victory ends Noakes’ impressive run of 13 stoppages in a row as the Englishman was taken 12 rounds for the first time in his pro career.
But the win over the Parisian puncher saw the Englishman complete the set after previously winning the Commonwealth and British light titles only nine weeks ago.
The 26-year-old will naturally be targeting world titles next.
‘The Lion’ Mendy, 38, had never been stopped before in his career, and before the first bell had a remarkable 392 rounds under his belt compared to Noakes’ mere 45.
It took all of six rounds for Noakes to give the veteran a taste of his potent power, staggering Mendy with a right uppercut, despite it landing primarily on the glove of his opponent. The Kent star winked at Mendy as the bell came to the rescue, then switched up his variety in the second half of the fight, mixing body shots with left hooks and right hands.
Despite the one-sided affair, Mendy took the Brit beyond the ninth round for the first time in his career.
He was able to avoid Noakes’ power shots and managed to tempt the Kent fighter into a shootout in the final round.
Well ahead, the home fighter emptied the gas tank in the final 15 seconds, pushing Mendy back to the ropes, but was unable to find the stoppage.
“I knew he was going to be tough, but I was had it in the back of my head I might just get him. But I rushed it,” Noakes said.