Sam Noakes described his professional boxing debut as a dream come true.

Noakes started with a stoppage victory at the Royal Albert Hall last Friday after opponent Chris Adaway quit on his stool before the final round.

The Maidstone boxer dominated the lightweight contest to get his pro career off to the perfect start after signing a four-year deal with promoter Frank Warren.

Noakes, 22, said: "I loved it. It was a dream come true.

"I had a small army up there with me - over 250 people cheering me on - and when I stood there it was a bit surreal really.

"It was hard to take it all in.

"When you look around the Albert Hall, it leaves you speechless.

"I've been boxing in leisure centres as an amateur and to fight somewhere like that on your pro debut, it's just mental.

"All the more experienced boys were saying it's the best venue for British boxing.

"It was brilliant to box there."

Adaway quickly felt the power that saw Noakes take the amateur scene by storm en route to winning the ABA title.

He replaced original opponent Taka Bambere but nothing was going to disrupt the Maidstone man's flow.

• Noakes turns pro
• Fuller: I belong at elite level

Noakes said: "It didn't bother me who it was. With that backing behind me, I knew what the result was going to be anyway.

"I caught him with a big right hand straight away and he clammed up after that.

"He was a bit hard to get hold of but I got the win, which was the main thing.

"I knew he was getting tired and if the third round had gone on another 20 seconds, I might have got him out of there then but it's hard to say because he was a tough bloke.

"I felt I would have stopped him in the fourth but he didn't get up from the stool anyway.

"I couldn't sleep when I got home. I was wide-awake and had to watch the fight again on the telly.

"It looked well good and it was nice to get positive feedback from the commentators as well."

Noakes would like to thank sponsors Fastlay Services, Inkfish Tattoo Studios, H&C Motors, Roocou, Swift Roofing and Champs Boxing.

Read more: The latest sports news in Kent