The unbeaten 31-year-old from Kent was in a rich vein of form and just weeks removed from a second defense of his English welterweight title. Most impressively his performances were improving, along with the opposition level.

Suddenly, life got in the way. Noakes had to prioritize his family life and has spent the past year treading water, but is ready for a return to serious work.

On July 18, Noakes (12-0, 5 KOs) will fight Ireland's highly-rated hopeful Kieran Molloy (14-0, 7 KOs). Their 10-round contest will take place at London's Copper Box Arena on the Harlem Eubank-David Papot undercard, live exclusively on DAZN.

“I’ve just gotta move on with it now. A few months ago I was flying, everything was going good. I’d barely lost a round and had a good amount of stoppages. Now it’s just about building back up again,” Noakes told The Ring.

“I wasn’t able to fight and that put me behind the schedule. I've had a couple of keep-busy fights just to keep me ticking over and now I’m back in the mix.”

The in-form Molloy represents a tough test but is exactly the type of opponent that can get people talking about Noakes again. It's precisely the kind of fight the four-year pro is in the sport for, too.

Noakes’ younger brother is The Ring’s No.7 lightweight Sam and the pair have always had a highly competitive relationship. The collective love of a challenge and determination to win came to the fore when his boxing apprenticeship ended, as he began to be matched with others capable of beating him.

Back in July 2024, Noakes stepped up several levels to box Inder Bassi on the Derek Chisora-Joe Joyce undercard. He thrived under the pressure, while the 10-round decision win gave him confidence and belief which propelled him to title defenses over previously-undefeated Mathew Rennie and Jermaine Osborne Edwards.

“When we play family games, even quiz games, me and my brother are mad competitive,” he said.

“I’m not in here to duck and dive around people. We need to get in there, win and make a statement.

“I think it's a mix of things. When you know you’ve got someone of a bit better caliber, you train that bit harder and when it comes to fight night, you use yourself that little bit more.

“It’s like when I boxed Rennie [then 14-0-1, 1 KO], people said it’s a tough fight... he's a good, unbeaten kid. I think it gets you hungrier in the gym and you push yourself a bit harder.”

Molloy’s last four opponents have had winning records and he got 10 valuable rounds under his belt against the Netherlands’ Xavier Kohlen but none will have brought the same intensity or determination as Noakes.

Noakes accepts that Molloy is the in-form fighter but also believes that he is the more experienced between them.

“I’d say he’s where I was after I beat Bassi,” Noakes said in previewing his latest assignment.

“He’s had one good, credible opponent. I wouldn’t say his opponent was as good as Bassi. I feel like I’ve had the better opposition and am better tested over 10 rounds.

“The momentum is with him. He’s been busier than I have at the minute and I’m looking forward to getting in there, winning this fight and making a good statement again.”