Ryan Walsh admitted he was beaten by “one of the best prospects in the country” after failing in his attempt to win the British and Commonwealth lightweight titles – but vowed to fight on.
The Norfolk boxer lost on a unanimous points decision to champion Sam Noakes at Wembley Arena on Saturday night.
However, the 38-year-old from Cromer has no plans to retire and insisted: “I’m not done. I don’t want to go out like that.
“I learnt tonight that the young pup was a little bit better than I thought he was.”
‘We came here in full belief we could win’
Walsh rarely got to grips with his taller opponent during the 12-round contest and was troubled by Noakes’ impressive uppercut.
“One of the best prospect younger fighters in the country just beat one of the better older fighters in the country, I believe,” Walsh said.
“There’s no excuses. I think he is a little bit better than I thought. Maybe I thought I could take advantage of certain things, but there were such sporadic spells of punching – and that uppercut.”
Walsh’s twin brother Liam is a former world title contender and was in Ryan’s corner.
Liam felt the fact his brother maintained his record of having never been stopped inside the distance was a small positive to take from the defeat.
“Obviously it wasn’t our intention to come here and not get stopped – we came here in full belief that we could win by knockout,” Liam said.
“Sam took some good shots to be fair and he was decent, the better man won. I haven’t wanted Ryan to fight for years, but Ryan does what Ryan wants to do.”
Ryan, a former British featherweight champion, still has ambitions to become a two-weight Lonsdale belt holder.
“Sam Noakes is a fair bit better than British title level, so when he vacates that belt I want to be considered,” he said.
“I hope I am in the conversation, because any other up-and-coming lads at lightweight couldn’t do 12 rounds with me.”
‘Noakes is strong, powerful and sharp’
Trainer and manager Graham Everett was also philosophical about Walsh’s defeat and believes Noakes, 27, could be a world title contender in the future.
He said: “I’m very, very impressed by Noakes. He’s very strong, powerful and sharp with a beautiful jab.
“We always felt we had a chance, but all in all the better man won.”
Everett added that his fighter will ultimately be the one to decide whether he continues boxing.
He explained: “Even if he never boxes again, we are still friends and we will still train together with Michael and Liam (Ryan’s brothers).
“It’s entirely up to Ryan what he wants to do, but now is not the time to talk about it as he needs a few days off.”
