Sam Noakes Shares Quirky Take on First Pro Loss: ‘Everything Went in Slow Motion’

A Fight to Remember

For British boxer Sam Noakes, his recent showdown against Abdullah Mason in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was more than just a fight—it was a trial by fire. In the 10th round, with just around 30 seconds remaining, Mason intensified his pursuit of the stoppage. While Mason, who would later claim the vacant WBO lightweight title via unanimous decision, had a knockout in mind, Noakes found himself confronting a moment of vulnerability unlike any he had experienced before.

Reflecting on the bout with refreshing candor, Noakes recounted a surreal moment inside the ring. “He hit me with a body shot, so I moved my arm down because I didn’t want to get hit there again—but then he just hit me with a left hook to the head instead. I thought, ‘Oh, that hurt.’” The sudden pain triggered a fleeting, unusual thought: the ring floor looked comfortable, maybe even inviting. “I just thought, ‘Wow, that looks comfy, maybe I’ll just have a little sit down on there.’ It’s funny what goes through your head in there sometimes,” Noakes explained.

Inside the Ring: Humor Meets Vulnerability

Noakes’ description of the moment captures the strange psychology of a boxer under pressure. “It was all in slow motion really,” he continued. “Everything is happening so fast around you, but I’m there looking at the canvas thinking: do I do it? Shall I do it? It looks nice down there. But then I didn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t.”

His honesty—part humorous, part human—resonated with fans, many of whom admired the unfiltered glimpse into a fighter’s mind during the heat of competition. For Noakes, it wasn’t about pride; it was about acknowledging the raw and immediate sensations that the body and mind process in a high-stakes environment.

“I don’t even remember sitting down in the corner, I don’t remember Al [Smith] speaking to me at all,” Noakes admitted, referring to his corner team. “But I do remember thinking, ‘This is sore, I might take a little nap.’”

Facing the First Loss

While Noakes has earned a reputation for his knockout streak—17 wins, 15 by KO—the fight against Mason marked his first professional defeat. The loss, compounded by a significant cut sustained in the third round, was a stark reminder of the sport’s physical and mental demands.

“Losing doesn’t feel too good now,” he said candidly. “But I’ll have a bit of downtime over Christmas with my family and then get going again in the new year.” For a fighter who has climbed rapidly through the ranks, the setback is less an endpoint than a chance to reassess and grow.

Even before the fight, Noakes admitted that the mere possibility of defeat carried weight. “When I thought about losing before it happened, I felt like it’s the end of the world. It’s terrible. And even when I’m walking back to the changing room, you can feel it. We’ve lost now. It’s like someone’s died or something. Nobody is saying anything, but they’re kind of giving you a little look.”

Family Ties and Emotional Stakes

The first professional loss also carried emotional weight for the Noakes family, including his brother Sean Noakes, who is undefeated professionally. Observing a loved one take a professional defeat is challenging, and the family felt it deeply. “I don’t think the family enjoyed it too much,” Sam said. “My nephew, bless him, he’s only 10 and he said, ‘I don’t like it.’ My niece fell asleep.”

Despite the rough post-fight appearance—bruised, swollen, and bandaged—Noakes made it a point to reassure his family, nodding toward his mother and sister in the crowd and communicating silently with his brother. “My old man was a little bit choked up when I came out of the hospital because I was all lumped and bumped,” he said. “It’s a rough old game when you’re on the end of it. They were worried, but once I got back from the hospital, they all knew I was alright. It wasn’t long before they were laughing at my swollen face and calling me ugly.”

This personal dimension underscores the human side of professional boxing, where victories and defeats extend far beyond the athlete’s individual experience.

Reflecting on Growth and Experience

Noakes’ reflections on the fight are as much about humor as they are about self-awareness and resilience. He views the experience as a learning moment, one that reinforces his drive to improve. “I feel more experienced and better about it. I feel hungry to come back and climb back up to the top and become world champion before my career’s up,” he said.

He recognizes that success in boxing is not just about power or skill; it is about maintaining composure under pressure. “When the going gets tough, I’m still there, ready to fight,” he added, emphasizing that mental fortitude is just as critical as physical preparation.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Sam Noakes

Despite the setback, Noakes remains optimistic about the next phase of his career. He acknowledges that the early part of his professional journey—marked by a series of knockouts—sometimes obscured the need to cultivate the edge and resilience that high-level competition demands. Losing to a top-tier opponent like Mason has reminded him of the intensity and unpredictability of professional boxing.

“I realised I hadn’t seen that guy for a little while,” Noakes said, reflecting on the challenge. “And although I’m gutted and I lost, it was also nice to know that he’s still in there. It’s not just talking. When the going gets tough, I’m still there, ready to fight.”

With a mixture of humility, humor, and determination, Noakes is already planning for the next chapter, eager to rebuild momentum, sharpen his skills, and pursue championship aspirations.

Conclusion: Humor, Honesty, and Resilience

Sam Noakes’ candid reflections on his near-collapse in the ring, his first professional defeat, and his family’s emotional journey offer a rare glimpse into the complexities of a boxer’s life. His blend of humor and honesty makes him a relatable and endearing figure to fans, while his determination and resilience suggest that this loss is merely a stepping stone in a promising career.

By facing adversity head-on and maintaining perspective, Noakes demonstrates that true champions are defined not just by victories but by their ability to confront challenges with courage, self-awareness, and a dash of humor—even when the idea of taking a nap in the ring momentarily crosses their mind.