I’m Britain’s hardest working boxer. I climb mountains, run marathons and work as a roofer on my days off
SAM NOAKES may be Britain’s hardest working boxer – but only after quitting his first two jobs after ONE shift.
The lightweight from Maidstone – whose 10-0 record rests on a perfect 10/10 KO ratio – has always been a fitness fanatic, conquering mountains and marathons on his days off.
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But the 25-year-old hasn’t been able to match that commitment in his first two careers and has hired a few earners without even getting paid.
The proud mama boy, who still lives at home doing expert cooking and doing laundry, told SunSport: “My first job out of school was in a call center, I went in with good intentions, gave it a try and never again returned the second day.
“I wasn’t fussy, the next job was McDonald’s, another full shift but I couldn’t bear to go back and wasn’t even getting paid.
“I ended up getting a job as a roofer, 10 times harder than those two jobs, outdoors and physically demanding, but I loved it and I stuck with it until recently when my sponsorship deals allowed me to train full-time.
“But even now in the summer when my old boss has a big job or I’m waiting for a fight I go back and do a month or so on site with the guys, show them what else I can do.
“The same goes for running and the mountains. If I wasn’t a boxer, I’d still do them with my buddies, so I just squeeze them into fights.”
Noakes believes the only pre-boxing career he’s clicked with may be to blame for his insane strength and chilling nickname.
The Kent Golovkin – named after Kazakh KO king Gennady – believes the knockout power he has displayed in both hands is a result of lugging slate, tile and paneling up and down ladders all day and trying to keep up with the bigger guys in the company.
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Ahead of his Commonwealth title defense against Karthik Kumar on Saturday, he laughed: “I remember being at Jobs and there was always a bit of competition as to who could wear what.
“And I remember the bigger guys telling me to take it easy and leave the big loads to them.
“But I wouldn’t accept that and I’ve always managed to keep up with them, even if it was a tough fight at the beginning.
“They asked if I was okay, and I made so much effort that I barely managed to whisper a ‘yes.’
“So I can’t say exactly where the strength came from, but those tough days must have helped.”
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Behind most boxers lies a tale of suffering or hardship, but it’s refreshing to get nothing but a smile and boy-next-door charm from Noakes, whose mother was the driving force behind his early success.
“I’m not a complicated guy,” he likes to say. “Not too much going up for anyone to worry about.
“What you see is what you get from me.
“My parents separated when I was young, but they have always remained friends and supported me in everything I did.
“My older siblings have moved out, but I’m too comfortable indoors with my mother. So until I find the love of a good woman, I am very happy at home with the one I already have.”
*Champion Sports Management star Sam Noakes spoke to SunSport over lunch at Crown Aspinalls Casino.