British lightweight prospect Sam Noakes has set his sights on a high-stakes world title clash against newly crowned WBC Lightweight Champion William Zepeda. This ambitious goal hinges significantly on his performance this Saturday, August 29, 2026, when he faces veteran Denys Berinchyk at the O2 Arena in London.
Noakes, 29, sees the bout with Berinchyk as a crucial stepping stone. He aims to prove he belongs among the elite contenders at 135 pounds, especially after his last attempt at a major strap ended in a unanimous decision loss.
Sam Noakes William Zepeda at O2 Arena
Noakes enters the ring this Saturday for a pivotal 10-round lightweight contest. He’s taking on the 38-year-old Ukrainian, Denys Berinchyk, who fights with an Orthodox stance, with the WBO International title up for grabs. The fight serves as chief support for the main event status featuring Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic.
For Noakes, this fight is an immediate chance to rebound and solidify his position. His last world title challenge in November 2025 against Abdullah Mason left him short, but he remains highly rated by the WBO and sits at number four in the WBC rankings.
Berinchyk’s return to the ring marks his first fight in over 18 months, following a loss to Keyshawn Davis in February 2025. He underwent shoulder and nose surgery during his recovery period, making this comeback critical for his professional career.
Berinchyk acknowledges the significance of the upcoming clash. “He is a very strong and experienced fighter,” Berinchyk said of Noakes. He understands the high stakes, stating, “either win or it’s the end of my professional boxing career.”
A crucial crossroads fight for both men
Sam Noakes boasts an impressive 18-1 record with 16 knockouts. His last outing saw him defeat Benito Sanchez Garcia by technical knockout in the second round on May 3, 2026, at York Hall, London. This dominant victory helped erase some of the sting from his prior defeat.
Meanwhile, Denys Berinchyk, an Olympic silver medalist from 2012, holds a record of 19-1 with nine knockouts. His loss to Davis was his first professional defeat, and he’s eager to prove he can still compete at a high level. Bookmakers currently favour Noakes, suggesting an early victory is likely for the Brit.
The fight will stream live on DAZN PPV in both the United States and the UK, with coverage starting at 7:00 PM Kyiv time. Denys Berinchyk is expected to make his ring walk around 11:00 PM Kyiv time, followed by the main event.
The undercard features several other intriguing bouts. These include Constantin Ursu vs. Ben Vaughan for British and Commonwealth lightweight titles, Aloys Junior vs. Mike Perez, and Guido Vianello vs. Moses Jolly. This stacked card promises a full night of boxing action.
Lessons from the grueling Abdullah Mason encounter
Noakes’ sole professional defeat came in November 2025 against Abdullah Mason, a fiercely contested unanimous decision for the vacant WBO lightweight title. The scorecards read 113–115, 113–115, and 111–117, indicating a close but clear loss for the Brit.
The physical toll of that 12-round battle was evident. Noakes recalled walking through the airport afterward, attracting stares due to his battered appearance. “I looked like I’d got a hiding,” he told Boxing News, adding that he had a tough time eating for days after.
Despite the loss, Noakes gave full credit to Mason, whom he considers one of the sport’s top talents. “He was a bit more durable than I’d expected,” Noakes admitted. He had planned to maintain a high work rate to see if Mason would fade, but the American held strong.
This experience taught him a crucial lesson about championship-level fights. “I gotta win next time,” he promised himself and his coach Al Smith. Mason may have been sore the next day, but he had the victory, a feeling Noakes craves for his next demanding bout.
William Zepeda, the WBC lightweight champion
Across the lightweight landscape, William Zepeda stands as the newly crowned champion, holding the WBC Lightweight title. The 30-year-old Mexican southpaw boasts an impressive 34-1 record, with 27 of his wins coming by knockout. He recently secured his title by defeating Lamont Roach Jr. via unanimous decision on August 1, 2026, in Las Vegas.
A potential clash between Noakes and Zepeda is generating buzz due to their aggressive styles. Noakes himself is enthusiastic about the prospect, stating, “Me and him would be one hell of a fight, wouldn’t it? If it comes up, we’d definitely take that fight.”
Zepeda’s relentless pressure and high output, combined with Noakes’s own forward-marching style, promise an explosive encounter. Such a matchup would undoubtedly deliver the kind of action that excites boxing fans and pundits alike, living up to the old adage that “styles make fights.”
Noakes has demonstrated his own ability to maintain a high work rate, often willing to take a shot to land one. This approach makes for thrilling fights but also necessitates a strong defence and recovery. His determination to improve after the Mason fight is a testament to his ambition.
The path to a championship opportunity
Noakes currently holds strong positions in major sanctioning body rankings, a testament to his consistent performances despite the Mason setback. He’s ranked number four by the WBC and WBO, number 10 by the IBF, and number seven by The Ring magazine in the competitive lightweight division.
A convincing victory over Berinchyk on Saturday would significantly bolster his claims for a world title shot, especially with the WBC. The “Berinchyk test” isn’t just about a belt; it’s about making a statement that he’s ready for the absolute top tier.
Noakes understands the immense mental and physical demands of becoming a world champion. He also recognizes the need to protect himself from the brutal nature of the sport. The Maidstone fighter revealed a unique coping mechanism and brain training technique to Boxing News.
To keep his brain active and mitigate the effects of continuous blows to the head, Noakes has taken up learning a new language. “When you’re getting hit in the head all the time, you want to try and keep your brain working and functioning properly,” he explained. He even joked that he might speak enough Spanish within a year to converse directly with Zepeda.
The lightweight division’s competitive landscape
The lightweight division remains one of boxing’s most talent-rich weight classes, featuring a host of hungry contenders and established champions. William Zepeda’s recent capture of the WBC title only intensifies the competition, creating new opportunities and challenges for fighters like Sam Noakes.
Noakes’ current ranking with the WBC, paired with his declared eagerness to face Zepeda, positions him as a credible challenger. The division thrives on such matchups between aggressive, high-volume fighters, promising entertainment and decisive outcomes for the fans.
But the journey to a world title is rarely straightforward. Noakes must first navigate the challenge presented by Denys Berinchyk, a seasoned veteran with significant amateur pedigree and a point to prove. Berinchyk, despite his age, poses a serious threat for any fighter looking to climb the ranks. The Ukrainian’s experience and desperation could make him a difficult puzzle to solve.
Looking ahead, the victor of the Noakes-Berinchyk bout will certainly draw more attention in the lightweight division. For Sam Noakes, a win could fast-track his dream of challenging Zepeda for the WBC strap, adding another thrilling chapter to his lightweight title aspirations. His ability to adapt from the Mason fight and overcome Berinchyk will be critical in shaping his championship future.
The coming months will reveal if Noakes can translate his ambition and lessons learned into a career-defining performance. The potential Zepeda fight represents not just a title opportunity, but a chance to etch his name into boxing history as a true world champion.
