THE “MAIDSTONE GOLOVKIN” Sam Noakes has had his FA Cup fever ruined by an indecent proposal.
Kent’s rising lightweight star was ready to treat himself to a day off from his training camp – ahead of his February 10 clash with Lewis Sylvester – to travel to Ipswich for his local side’s Fourth Round tie.
GettySam Noakes has revealed why he cannot go and support his hometown team in the FA Cup[/caption]
GettyMaidstone captain Gavin Hoyte and his team-mates head to Portman Road this weekend[/caption]
His big brother and fellow fighter Sam has even arranged a coach of 52 to drive up the A12 and roll with the in-form Stones.
But 26-year-old Noakes – whose 12 consecutive knockout wins earned him the nickname derived from Kazakh KO king Gennady – has got to try on wedding suits instead as he’s best man for a so-called pal in June.
“I am gutted to be fair,” the pocket puncher said. “There has been a real buzz around the town, shops and pubs are busier and lifted by it.
“It sounds like there are dozens of coaches heading up there, die hard fans and just local people who fancy the day out.
“My brother has hired a coach for the day and organised a great trip, by the sounds of it.
“He better be on his best behaviour because he’s fighting in March.
“But the best chance I have of misbehaving is sneaking out of this suit fitting and trying to catch it on the TV in a pub.”
Noakes has a fizzing rivalry with fellow undefeated 9st 9lbs banger Mark Chamberlain bubbling along nicely.
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They’re both throwback fighters who prefer to let their hands do the talking.
But Portsmouth 25-year-old Chambo’s next fight being booked for March 8 in Saudi Arabia has whispers rife that the showdown will land in the kingdom this summer.
“Let’s hope so,” Noakes laughed.
“The fight between us has been suggested and speculated on for so long now, but we are still two fights away, he has to win his and I have to win mine.
“I went to Saudi Arabia for the Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou fight and I will be back out there just after mine for Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
“It’s a long way away from Maidstone and Portsmouth but it’s where all the big fights are headed and it would be great to be a part of it.”
Sam Noakes will return to the ring on February 10Richard Pelham / The Sun