The man Sam Noakes beat to win the European title has told him to go out and become world champion.

Maidstone boxer Noakes won the vacant EBU lightweight belt with a dominant points victory over Frenchman Yvan Mendy on Saturday night, winning all 12 rounds on the three scorecards.

Veteran Mendy, a former European title holder, has fought some top-class opponents during his 56-bout career.

And the 38-year-old, who’s never been stopped, went out of his way to speak to Noakes in the York Hall changing rooms after becoming the first man to take him the distance.

“He’s a great athlete and real nice fella as well,” said Noakes, 26, after adding the European title to his British and Commonwealth belts – a rare feat in the sport.

“He came through and said some nice bits.

“He’s a proper sportsman.

“He said keep training, keep motivated, you’re a strong fighter and I hope you become world champion.

“He spoke a little bit of English but he got one of his team to come through and translate for him, which was nice.”

Noakes, who also holds the WBO International and WBC International Silver titles, showed his class against Mendy.

His perfect stoppage record ended, in his 14th fight, but the praise was universal after his shut-out victory.

“It was a valuable 12 rounds,” said the ex-Westree amateur.

“I felt pretty busy in there. I knew the stoppage was a big ask, because he’s been about and you don’t get to 55 fights without being stopped if you haven’t got a good chin.

“Fair play to him. He took some punishment. I was wheeling them in. I was trying. He had abs of steel, too.

“I was gutted the stoppage record came to an end but what I learned from 12 rounds has been much better than getting the stoppage, and I got more positive feedback from this fight than any of my others.

“The European title is a big one to win. Everyone was saying I’m the first person to hold the British, Commonwealth and European titles simultaneously since the 1960s, so that isn’t bad.

“It’s mental to see the progress I’ve made over the last five years. I don’t feel any different, it’s just surreal.

“It’s all coming thick and fast now, isn’t it?

“Because of the calibre of fighter, and the opponents he’s been in with - people who’ve fought for world titles - this one means a lot.

“It’s nice to see the hard work pay off, to get the win and look class doing it.”

Noakes expects to make a mandatory defence of the European title in the summer as he works towards a crack at the WBO world title.

He’s also set to sign a new deal with promoter Frank Warren, who was a happy man on Saturday night, along with manager Francis Warren and trainer Al Smith.

“Everyone was buzzing, weren’t they?” said Noakes.

“Frank just said well done, brilliant work and congratulated me but it’s hard to take everything in after a fight where your brain’s going at 100mph.

“We’ve got to get a deal sorted this year but I’ll be re-signing with Frank.

“He’s looked after me very well and I’m pretty happy with how my career is going. I’m very happy where I am.”