New British and WBO International lightweight champion Sam Noakes on track for a world title shot next year | Maidstone boxer straight back to work in pursuit of more success

New British champion Sam Noakes could be fighting for a world title this time next year.

That’s the target the Maidstone boxer and manager Francis Warren are working towards after a brilliant performance on Saturday night.

Noakes, 26, stopped fellow unbeaten boxer Lewis Sylvester in the fourth round of their bout at the Copper Box Arena in London.

He put his man down twice in the third before another knockdown in round four saw the towel come in from the Yorkshireman’s corner.

Victory saw Noakes add the British and WBO International lightweight titles to his Commonwealth and WBC International Silver belts.

“It’s hard work carrying them all,” joked Noakes.

“They’re in my living room at the minute.

“I don’t know what my mum wants to do with them - she’s the boss in here. She’ll tell me where they’re going.”

The British crown, and with it the historic Lonsdale Belt, is a dream come true for Noakes, while the WBO title will open doors.

It’s no wonder Warren said the world was Noakes’ oyster immediately after the fight, although the former Westree amateur is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“I’m just going to make a few defences,” said Noakes.

“That WBO International, if I defend that a few times that puts me in a really good position for a world title shot maybe in 12 months, so that’s where we’re looking to go and we’ll see how that works out.

“That’s a serious belt, that one. It’s mental, isn’t it, but the thing is I just feel the same as when I first turned over pro.

“I don’t feel any different. You do see it going to people’s heads but I don’t think that’s going to happen to me. I’ve got too many good people around me who’d tell me to sort myself out.”

Noakes extended his perfect stoppage record to 13-0 after