New European champion Sam Noakes reveals beaten opponent Yvan Mendy’s changing-room message

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