The former roofer aiming for World Champion status

Sam Noakes will fight US boxer Abdullah Mason on Saturday night

A former roofer who has gone 17 boxing bouts without defeat is preparing for a world title shot in Saudi Arabia.

Sam Noakes, from Maidstone, Kent, has never boxed abroad. But he is to fight US boxer Abdullah Mason on Saturday night for the WBO lightweight world championship.

Despite a successful career to date, Noakes revealed in an interview with BBC South East that he sometimes gets back on the ladder to see his former colleagues.

"I miss working on site. I go in and do a couple of days with the boys. I don't work too hard though," he said.

'Since day one'

He added: "I'm not a big grafter but if someone has a day's work going and I'm not close to a fight, I'll go in for the day.

"Roofing is something you just have to keep working at, but with boxing, with the belts, you can see the rewards."

Noakes, who is second in the world rankings, said he and his opponent, who is the current number one, were both "hungry" and looking forward to a great fight.

He is expecting 80 of his biggest supporters to make the trip for his furthest fight away from home to date.

He added that the support "pushes him on", especially as all those who will be there have been supporting him "since day one".

In a post on social media, Maidstone United sent their best wishes to the boxer.

Noakes has previously visited the Gallagher Stadium, where Maidstone United play, with his Commonwealth, British and European lightweight belts.