Sam Noakes Dominates Ryan Walsh to Retain Titles

Sam Noakes delivered a dominant performance to defend his British and Commonwealth lightweight titles against veteran Ryan Walsh at Wembley Arena. Noakes, 27, extended his unbeaten record with a unanimous decision, earning two 120-108 scorecards and a 119-109, as his youth, power, and relentless pace overwhelmed the 38-year-old challenger.

Noakes set a blistering tempo from the opening bell, relying on his trademark aggression and heavy hands. A right hand to the body early in the first round set the tone, while a left to the chin followed swiftly as Walsh attempted to dodge a further right. Despite his experience and determined effort, Walsh was immediately placed on the back foot, forced to fight at a pace favouring the champion.

Noakes began to inflict visible damage in the second round. A snapping right uppercut and a powerful left hand repeatedly forced Walsh backwards. The volume and accuracy of Noakes’ jabs were as punishing as his power shots, with Walsh struggling to mount any significant counters. The third round saw Walsh’s nose begin to bleed following a series of right hands to the chin as the challenger endured yet another sequence of heavy shots.

Despite the punishment, Walsh found moments to subtly control the distance in the fourth round, briefly mitigating the power of Noakes’ punches. However, Noakes continued to dictate the exchanges, with double jabs and uppercuts finding their target.

The fight slowed slightly in the fifth round, though Noakes remained busier. By the sixth, the champion resumed his offensive work, landing a clean right to the chin at close range. Walsh, however, proved resilient, evading a wild left hook that could have ended the contest.

The seventh round highlighted the disparity between the two fighters. Noakes landed a right uppercut and a clean right to the chin, while Walsh managed a left hook that lacked the same impact. Trainer Graham Everett’s calls for Walsh to “use them legs” underscored the difficulty of resisting Noakes’ pressure. Successive jabs from Noakes followed, further solidifying his dominance.

In the eighth round, Noakes began to open up again, landing a series of right hands and left uppercuts. The damage to Walsh’s face worsened as the champion maintained control, showing patience while mixing in occasional barrages.

The final rounds saw Noakes manage his output, fully aware he was cruising toward victory. Even so, a sustained assault in the final round placed Walsh under immense pressure. A snapping left hand visibly rocked the challenger, but referee Reece Carter allowed the fight to continue, granting Walsh the opportunity to reach the final bell.

Noakes’ comprehensive victory improved his record to 16-0 (14 KOs), reaffirming his place as one of the most exciting prospects in British boxing. Walsh, who falls to 27-4-2 (12 KOs), showed admirable grit but endured significant punishment against a naturally more prominent, younger opponent. For Noakes, the win caps a stellar 2024 campaign and further cement his growing reputation as a power-punching force in the lightweight division.