Sam Noakes topped the bill at York Hall and made a successful first defence of his European lightweight title by forcing Gianluca Ceglia to retire after the eighth round of their meeting.
Noakes (15-0, 14 KOs) came into this one as one of Frank Warren’s hottest prospects, and he stepped up in class in his most recent outing, which saw him go the distance for the first time in a points win against Yvan Mendy to take the European strap. Ceglia (21-5-1, 4 KOs), wasn’t expected to provide too big a test to for the Maidstone man, with the Italian not a noted puncher, and with four defeats on his slate coming into this title challenge.
Noakes, who also holds the British and Commonwealth titles, wasn’t at his usual, pressurising best, but still had enough to break down the visitor.
Ceglia started off cautiously behind a high guard, and it wasn’t long before the unbeaten 27-year-old was finding ways through, targeting the body in round three before finally opening up in round four, putting more meat on his punches and driving the challenger towards the ropes.
With Ceglia keeping his guard high, Noakes was able to attack the body, and this started to wear the challenger down, with the seventh round seeing the 34-year-old sag on the ropes and go more and more into his shell.
It was full on survival mode for Ceglia in round eight and at the end of the session, with his eye showing signs of battle, he signalled to his corner that he wouldn’t be continuing and the bout was called off.
Noakes could be in line for a clash with British rival Mark Chamberlain who faces Josh Padley on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois on September 21 at Wembley Stadium.
Abdulah claims Commonwealth crown
The vacant Commonwealth featherweight strap was claimed by Masood Abdulah (11-0, 7 KOs), as he took a wide points win against Scotland’s George Stewart (7-1, 1 KO).
Three scores of 118-110 reflected Abdullah’s dominance.
Remaining Undercard
In six rounders, Steven Cairns (9-0, 5 KOs) remained unbeaten, winning all six rounds at super lightweight against Ezequiel Gregores (3-16) and Luke McCormack (2-0, 2 KOs) scored a second round win against Petr Brodsky (4-3, 3 KOs), who was down twice from body shots.
At middleweight, Joshua Frankham (11-0, 2 KOs) was a 59-55 winner against Angel Emilov (11-57-3, 7 KOs).
In four round action, Charlie Hickford (3-0, 1 KO) ran out a 39-37 winner at featherweight against Darwing Martinez (8-23-2, 6 KOs) and at super featherweight, Christian Bozzia (2-0) won all four sessions against Joshua Ocampo (8-28-5, 6 KOs).
Super lightweight debutant, Keano White (1-0) also won all four rounds in his contest with Santiago Garces (4-32-5, 2 KOs) as did John Isaacs (1-0), who also took all four rounds against Marek Cureja (2-3, 2 KOs).
