Rakeem Noble insists he will be back despite suffering his first professional defeat on Saturday.

The South Norwood boxer lost on points over four rounds to Croatian Ivan Njegac at York Hall, bringing to an end a run of nine bouts unbeaten.

However, while admitting to some disappointment the 25-year-old super lightweight has not been knocked off his track for a shot at a regional title.

“I started really slowly, and it was the third round by the time I was boxing at my best, but by then it was too late,” he said.

“It was so quick, I never really got chance to get into my stride, but I will learn from that.

"My training has been geared to longer bouts, where I can take my time and work my way into the fight - that was the wrong approach.

"It's a learning curve, definitely." 

He added: "He is not the hardest opponent I have ever had, so that is disappointing, but these things happen in boxing and I am still on course for a title shot.

“The show will go on, my confidence has not been knocked.”

Noble expects to be back in the ring in March or April next year, but in the meantime he has stopped the vegan plan which featured in his preparation for Saturday's fight.

At the time, Noble said he would forego his love of pizza for his job, but once the fight was over he would be helping himself to a pepperoni pizza.

After the fight, he said: "I got my pizza, but it was not as sweet or satisfying as I was hoping."

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