Shakur Stevenson recently spent a few days in London fulfilling media obligations ahead of his upcoming WBC lightweight title defence against Floyd Schofield, 18-0 (12 KOs).

The fight takes place on February 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and is just one of a number of eye catching match-ups on an outstanding show which is headlined by the rematch between Ring Magazine and undisputed light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.

The trip was strictly business for the three-weight world champion and despite a heavy schedule, he still managed to find time to squeeze in some training.

Stevenson, 22-0 (10 KOs) - who is ranked No.3 by The Ring - didn’t find a quiet gym where he could break a sweat on the bags. Instead, Stevenson travelled to the iBox Gym in Bromley and shared some rounds with heavy handed British, Commonwealth and European lightweight champion, Sam Noakes, 16-0 (14 KOs).

Stevenson’s profile and reputation is such that what may be a routine workout for him can be a World Cup final for the person he is sparring but the easy going Noakes has progressed past the point of needing to prove himself and will have relished the brief opportunity to gauge just how successful his style will be at the highest level.

Stevenson appreciated the rounds and was impressed by the 27 year-old.

“Honestly, it was good work,” Stevenson told Queensberry. “He said a lot of great things about me. I remember him saying how hard it is to hit me but, truthfully, I ain’t gonna lie, he’s probably one of the strongest fighters that I've been in the ring with at 135lbs. He’s got a lot of power, he’s real tough too. Good fighter.”

Noakes sits at No.3 with the WBO and has in the past been linked to a fight with current champion, Denys Berinchyk, 19-0 (9 KOs).

On February 14th, he will be an interested observer as the talented Keyshawn Davis, 12-0 (8 KOs), gets his mandatory shot at the 36 year-old Ukrainian at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Stevenson believes that Noakes would have had an excellent chance at unseating Berinchyk but faces a much stiffer challenge if Davis gets his hands on the belt.

“I think he may knock out of Denys Berinchyk but he can't beat Keyshawn. Keyshawn is a different animal.”