Boxing
Frank Warren eyes a second world title shot for Sam Noakes in 2026
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Sam Noakes should get another world lightweight title shot next year, according to his promoter Frank Warren.
Despite losing a decision when challenging Abdullah Mason for vacant WBO lightweight belt on Saturday, Noakes emerged from the bruising battle in Riyadh live on DAZN PPV with an enormous amount of credit and his stock undoubtedly rose in defeat.
The contest in Saudi Arabia was the fight of the night on the superb Ring IV: Night of Champions card and was arguably one of the most exciting contests of 2025.
It represented the 28-year-old Noakes’ first defeat but Warren is keen to see his man back in the mix for world honours as soon as possible.
When asked by BoxingScene if Noakes can fight for another world title 2026, Warren replied: “Without a doubt. I’ll make sure that happens.
“He won’t fight until April anyway. Let’s see what’s around and what’s available.
“He suffered a bad cut very early in the fight, and that gave him a problem – there’s no doubt about that. [But] there weren’t nothing in that fight – I thought there was just a couple of rounds in it, and if he’d have won the last couple of rounds I think it could have been his fight, but he boxed extremely well.
“I know he’s a good fighter – I’ve been banging on about what a good fighter he is for a while now, and he showed that. He showed that in a big way. Moving forward, I believe he has winning a world title in him.
“Fights like that can give you confidence in yourself. I thought he boxed extremely well. He’s not disgraced himself, and we’re all quite proud of his performance.”
Saudi supremo Turki Alalshikh reportedly wants Noakes to fight on a Riyadh Season promotion again and Warren believes it’s easy to see why.
He added: “When’s Sam ever been in a bad fight?
“Sam’s fight was the fight of the night. He’s come through and shown what he’s all about. He’s up there and he’s a good fighter."
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