FORMER SUCCESSFUL AMATEUR star Sean Noakes is making up for lost time having turned professional with Frank Warren and Queensberry in May 2022.

Sean, who joined younger brother Sam in the Queensberry ranks, has now clocked up four wins with successes over Lee Hallett, MJ Hall, Petar Aleksandrov and Santiago Garces, last time out in January. Impressive stoppage victories were secured over both Hall and Garces.

“It was a long time coming, really,” said the welterweight. “I have been trying to turn pro for a while then lockdown got in the way and I wanted to do the ABAs first.

“So I waited for the ABAs, did well in them, then Francis (Warren) approached me about when I wanted to turn pro and it went from there.”

The older Noakes brother went on the boxing missing list after a productive stint in the junior amateurs before being inspired to give it another bash after assessing the competition.

“I turned 17 and took a few years out because I fell out of love with the sport a little bit. I remember watching my brother fight in the NABC finals against Jordan Flynn. I was always a weight above my brother and I watched him, then the fight after, and I thought ‘I can beat these kids’.

“So I came back and after one fight I boxed for the Southern Area title and won that before getting down to my natural weight – which is welter – and going into the Haringeys and winning them. I won everything, pretty much, until the ABAs, which I thought I won but didn’t get the right end of the decision.

“So my ability was still there and I still had it, it was just the fire went out a little bit at 17 when I started going out and being a bit silly. Then I got my shot at redemption and jumped at it.

“As a junior I was always there or thereabouts, but I only had 20 fights and I only lost to top boys in Ted Cheeseman and Jordan Reynolds. I thought I beat Jordan even though I am pals with him now.

“I’ve come into my man strength because I was a bit of a late bloomer. Now I have got it and every time I land, it hurts.”