Rakeem Noble still holds British title ambitions after putting Tommy Coyle loss behind him with KO win
Monday 12 June 2017 17:43, UK
Rakeem Noble says he eased painful memories of his defeat to Tommy Coyle after returning with a knockout victory at the weekend.
The 27-year-old super-lightweight admits he was plagued by doubts after his stoppage loss to Coyle in February, but put his career back on track after halting Georgie Wright in two rounds at York Hall in Bethnal Green.
Noble hopes to fight in Japan over the next 12 months after taking a teaching placement in Kanagawa Prefecture, although he could accept another bout before he leaves the country in September.
"I'm just happy I got the result and everything is in working order," Noble told Sky Sports. "The build-up to this fight was probably the hardest training camp that I've had since turning pro, just due to the mental side of it.
"I was thinking, have I still got what it takes? Am I going to perform on the day? Am I finished?
That was the opportunity of a lifetime to propel me to the next level. I feel like I need to get back to that again to prove to everyone that I do belong there.
"But when I got in there and I performed, I realised that I've still got it. I can put it to the back of my mind, I can lay it to rest, but of course there is going to be that slight part which makes me feel I could have done more.
"It isn't hanging over me like it used to. That was the opportunity of a lifetime to propel myself to the next level. I feel like I need to get back to that again to prove to everyone that I do belong there."
The Londoner still believes he is capable of fighting for a British title after bringing up the 12th victory of his career, with just two defeats.
"If I can keep developing, learning and growing, I cannot see why I cannot win a British title at some point in my career," said Noble.
"I'm still only 27. The best years are ahead of me and I believe that. We'll see what the future holds."
