Maidstone boxer Sean Noakes has secured a shot at the English welterweight title in just his eighth fight.

Noakes (7-0) is set to face Southern Area champion Inder Bassi (11-1) at the O2 Arena on Saturday, July 27.

He’ll be boxing on the undercard of the big domestic clash between Joe Joyce and Derek Chisora.

“It’s a good step up but I’m very confident I’ll get the win in good fashion,” said Noakes, 29.

“I’m moving up quite fast but Frank Warren (promoter) has got a lot of faith in me so hopefully I keep winning and moving forward.

“I’ve got a game plan for Inder Bassi.

“We’ve watched a bit of him and my coach knows what we want to do with him.

“The closer we get to the fight, the more videos I watch.”

Noakes returned to his old amateur club bearing gifts.

He visited Westree ABC where he handed out Team Noakes T-shirts to youngsters.

They were provided by sponsor Matt Tompsett, of Tompsett Asphalt, a Kent man now based in Australia.

“It’s nice to be able to give something back and the kids loved it,” said Noakes.

“Westree were massive for me and my brother (Sam, the reigning British, Commonwealth and European lightweight champion).

“We wouldn’t be where we are without them. They did so much for us.

“I like to get up there and help out and jump in with the coaching now and again.

“My nephew goes up there so I take him along three or four times a month and when I ask who wants to do the pads, all the kids jump up.

“You never realise how much you do for someone. It’s surreal. I still think of myself as this little toerag from Maidstone.”