Local sporting heroes Sam Noakes and Louis Greene add star power to show

Kent boxing stars Sam Noakes and Louis Greene set to support young boxers on Snodland ABC boxing show

Snodland Amateur Boxing Club are hosting an event on Saturday March 23rd and local sporting stars Sam Noakes and Louis Greene will be in attendance to hand out awards and support the young boxers aspiring to grow up to be just like them.

Despite their demanding training schedules, the two professional boxers from Kent, who are both ranked in the top five in the UK, will be present throughout the day to meet with fans and pose for pictures.

The amateur boxing show starts at 12pm and will feature around two dozen competitive bouts between Snodland ABC boxers, aged 10 upwards, against a whole host of other local clubs, such as Westry, Sevenoaks and West Kingsdown, and even clubs coming as far as Margate, Folkestone and Crawley.

Snodland ABC coach, Mark West, commented, “There’s a few skills bouts on the show and around 18 amateur fights, so there’s going to be lots of boxing on display and it’s great to have two of the best boxers in Kent coming along to offer their support, we’re really grateful.

“This is a non-profit event and we all give up a lot of our time to make this happen, so it’s great to have Sam and Louis’ there, and we’re hoping to see lots of people come out and support on the day.”

Signed to Frank Warren, Maidstone’s Sam Noakes has already won British, Commonwealth, and International lightweight titles. The rising star, still just 26-years-old, has fought live in front of 20,000 spectators at the O2 Arena and millions more watching on TNT Sports.

Sam, known to many as ‘Midge’, is one of very few fighters worldwide with a perfect record consisting of 13 victories and 13 knockouts, which is why he is currently ranked 18th in the world.

When asked by a friend to attend the show he instantly agreed, “Amateur boxing is very close to my heart, obviously because I used to do it, so if I’m ever free and can give a few hours out of my day then it’s no problem to me and if it inspires any kids then that’s great.

“I’m often doing stuff for the community, and I’m still new to all this, but I’ve been back to my old school, Valley Park, to do an assembly, and did an awards evening at Aylesford School recently.

“It’s easy from my end and it’s nice to see, because in my head I’m still the same kid from five years ago, but it’s nice knowing that so many people are interested in my career and what I’ve got to say.”

Medway’s Louis Greene also adds VIP status to the show, fresh from a career-best win over in Saudi Arabia on the undercard of Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou last weekend.

A former Commonwealth and Southern Area champion, 31-year-old Louis stole the show in Riyadh, aptly named ‘Knockout Chaos’, when he KO’d one of the country’s top unbeaten prospects in the first round with a punch-perfect performance, live on Sky Sports and broadcast around the world on DAZN.

Appropriately named ‘The Medway Mauler’ for his all-action boxing style, the Strood resident explained his connection with Snodland ABC, “I used to spar against Snodland, me and a fella called Stacey Beadle had really good spars and everyone enjoyed watching.

“To come and support any kids that, like myself, grew up in that rough council estate environment where they’ve got very little, going to the boxing gym is a big deal, it can save people and change lives.

“If I hadn’t been in the boxing gym, I would have been in prison, 100 per cent. So, to come out and support these kids and give them a bit of motivation is a big deal to me, that’s why I enjoy going to these events.”

Both Louis and Sam were amateur champions, which is a winning theme they have each carried over into the professional ranks.

Louis won 21 from 26 amateur bouts, knocking 18 of his opponents down, winning Haringey Box Cup gold and silver medals, as well as becoming a Kent, Southern Counties, and Southern Area champion.

Sam won 47 from 53, knocking out half his opponents, and was crowned national champion five times.

He explained exactly why these club shows are beneficial to the boxers, “It’s good to keep the kids busy, they need these shows to continue to learn and develop in a fight environment.

“I’d advise them to leave it all in there, and I know it’s a cheesy one but I’d also tell them to enjoy it. If you lose, so what? Everyone loses from time to time, just go back to the gym, work on it, and go again.”

The show begins at 12pm, with the first bell scheduled for 1pm, at Snodland Community Centre, Paddlesworth Road, Snodland, ME6 5DP. Tickets are available from Mark West on 07842 213 293.