Rising Frank Warren prospect Sam Noakes continues his progression this Friday night at York Hall, and he makes the first defence of his European lightweight title against Gianluca Ceglia.
TNT Sports televise Noakes vs Ceglia live in the UK.
Noakes (14-0, 13 KOs) is a hard-hitter, and his first 13 contests saw him end matters inside schedule, picking up Commonwealth and ranking-building belts along the way.
He then stepped up to British title level to stop Lewis Sylvester for the vacant Lonsdale Belt in February, before moving swiftly to European level for his most recent contest.
There, he needed all twelve rounds to take a points win over the tough gatekeeper Yvan Mendy, with Noakes showing maturity in winning all available sessions to take the European crown he defends this weekend.
Ceglia (21-4-1, 4 KOs), by contrast, is a light-puncher, with only four stoppages on his leger. The Campania resident has previously challenged for this title, but came up short on the cards against the aforementioned Mendy in April 2022. He has won four bouts since, the last a majority nod against Frank Urquiaga in March over twelve rounds.
Prediction: Noakes is a relentless talent, and I can’t see Ceglia keeping the champion off, especially with his lack of punch power. I favour Noakes to retain with a stoppage win after halfway.
12 rounds? Completed it mate ✅
Sam Noakes has been there, done that with 12 rounds of boxing and plans to reignite is KO streak this Friday 🥊#NoakesCeglia | Friday, 7PM | LIVE on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ pic.twitter.com/J9WZDUsXES
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) September 4, 2024
Abdullah takes on Stewart
The undercard sees the vacant Commonwealth featherweight title up for grabs, as Masood Abdulah (10-0, 7 KOs) meets George Stewart (7-0, 1 KO). Abdulah is in good recent form, forcing former British champion Marc Leach to retire after seven rounds in October last year, and then halting Qais Ashfaq in five in February. Celtic champion Stewart is relatively unknown, and he went ten rounds for the first time last time out, outscoring Andy Tham in May.
Prediction: Abdulah will start fast in this one, and with Stewart largely unexposed, he can get the job done inside the distance, likely by stoppage in the first six rounds.
Undercard preview
In six rounders, Stephen Cairns (8-0, 5 KOs) can take a clear points win at super lightweight against Ezequiel Gregores (3-15, 0 KOs), while Luke McCormack (1-0, 1 KO) can win early again, this time against Petr Brodsky (4-2 KO3), also at super lightweight. Middleweight hope Joshua Frankham (10-0, 2 KOs) can get the better of Angel Emilov (11-56-3, 7 KOs) on points at middleweight.
A sickening body shot! 🤢
Luke McCormack stops Robin Zamora on his professional debut! 🥊#BourkeLane | LIVE on TNT Sports & discovery+ pic.twitter.com/s9NXpNpjgw
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) March 22, 2024
In four round action, at featherweight, Charlie Hickford (2-0, 1 KO) may have to settle for a points win against Darwing Martinez (8-22-2, 6 KOs), and at super featherweight, Christian Bozzia (1-0, KO0) can do the same against Joshua Ocampo (8-27-5, 6 KOs).
Super lightweight debutant Keano White should dispatch Santiago Garces (4-31-5, 2 KOs), and another debutant at the same weight in John Isaacs should also triumph on points against Marek Cureja (2-2, 2 KOs).
