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Sport

Sean Noakes beat Inder Bassi by unanimous decision to win the English welterweight title at the O2 Arena – Ekow Essuman now in the sights of Maidstone boxer

By: Luke Cawdell lcawdell@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 29 July 2024

Updated: 10:49, 29 July 2024

Sean Noakes added another boxing belt to the family collection on Saturday.

Noakes (9-0) beat Inder Bassi with a unanimous points win to take the English welterweight crown.

Sean Noakes is the new English welterweight champion after beating Inder Bassi at the 02 Picture: Stephen Dunkley / Queensberry

His brother Sam - a British and European lightweight champion - was watching ringside at the O2 Arena.

The English title fight came before fellow Maidstone pro Dennis McCann clinched the EBU European bantamweight title.

He joked afterwards: “I have to catch up (with Sam) - there is something strong in the water down in Maidstone!”

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Noakes, 29, was in charge throughout the 10-round fight against Bassi and won via a unanimous decision, the three judges scoring it 97-94 and 96-94 twice.

Bassi got a cut under his right eye in the seventh round and towards the end of the eighth Noakes caught his opponent with an uppercut.

Sean Noakes gets one through Inder Bassi's defence Picture: Stephen Dunkley / Queensberry

‘The Nightmare’ Noakes admitted his boxing wasn’t always as precise as it should have been.

He went for the kill in the final round but Bassi, to his credit, held on for the bell but knew he has been beaten.

Speaking to TNT Sports’ Dev Sahni post-fight, Noakes admitted he “over-cooked it” at the end of the eighth as he went for the stoppage, adding: “I was trying to kill him with every shot and I was like, ‘I’m a bit tired now!’

In the end, he was just pleased to get the job done.

He said: “I could have fought better, but there’s nerves, you’re anxious.

Sean Noakes lands another blow on Inder Bassi Picture: Stephen Dunkley / Queensberry

“I was chasing it a bit too much. I was so anxious to get in there and look good. If I had of done it composed I would have done it better but the result is the same.

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“I got the win and that’s all the matters.

“I am happy with it and I am proud of myself to have got the win but lots to work on still.

“It was my first title fight, it was never going to be perfect but we learn from it and we can take that into the next fight and hopefully improve.”

Sean Noakes speaking after his English welterweight title win Picture: Queensberry YouTube

Ekow Essuman (20-1) was a name mentioned as a possible opponent at some stage after he won the WBO European welterweight title the week before.

Noakes said: “Two or three more fights, next year, then I’ll be ready for that kind of step

“Francis (Warren, manager) will talk to me (about the plan next) but I will enjoy some time to go away with my wife for a week, come back, straight back to it and hopefully have a good end to the year - keep winning!”

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