Sean Noakes and Mason Payne from Westree ABC in Maidstone advance to national quarter-finals
Published: 05:00, 26 November 2021
Westree boxers Sean Noakes and Mason Payne are eyeing national success after taking titles at the England Boxing Southern Counties Championships.
Noakes, 26, shook off the ring-rust after two years out to beat Surrey opponent Mark Parrot by unanimous decision in the under-69kg elite quarter-finals.
Parrot took a standing count in the first round as the Maidstone man dominated the clash in Southampton.
Noakes raised his game in a controlled semi-final victory over Vinny Mandair, taking another unanimous verdict.
Mandair had won his quarter-final on a stoppage but Noakes was too slick and dished out plenty of punishment.
Noakes travelled back from Southampton straight into the final in Canterbury the following day.
Opponent Hayden Bulloch (Felbridge) was fresh after a semi-final bye but Noakes picked up where he left off, looking nice and sharp, moving well and landing good body shots that slowed down Bulloch en route to another unanimous victory.
Payne, 17, won the under-69 cadet title after his opponent pulled out of the final.
The Detling teenager would have fancied his chances anyway after an impressive semi-final success against Diam Cleggett.
Payne, an excellent counter-puncher, boxed in and out beautifully on his way to a unanimous win, and is someone Westree have high hopes for.
Next up for Noakes and Payne are the national quarter-finals.
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Craig Tucker