Britain's Sam Nokes put in a gutsy performance but failed to become world lightweight champion, losing on points to Abdullah Mason for the vacant WBO title in Saudi Arabia.
In a thrilling and close fight between two unbeaten stars, 28-year-old Noakes was hampered by a bloody left eye after a clash of heads in the third round, but he kept going forward, landing hard inside shots.
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However, it was 21-year-old left-hander Mason's eye-catching uppercuts and deft long-range boxing that made the difference as he upped the tempo in the second half.
Mason rocked Noakes in the 10th round but the Maidstone fighter held on and fought back valiantly until the final bell.
American Mason scores 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 to claim his 20th professional win and become the youngest reigning men's world champion.
Noakes was hoping to complete his remarkable journey from supermarket job, roofer and railway worker to world champion.
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He suffers the first defeat of his career after 17 straight wins, including 15 stoppages, but in Fight of the Year he proved he belongs at the top level and will earn himself fans around the world.
Mason wins despite Noakes' valiant efforts
Mason becomes the youngest reigning men's world boxing champion, extending his record to 20 wins with 17 knockouts. [Getty Images]
A grinning Nokes strolled casually around the ring and made an unexpected choice – the high-pitched sounds of Luciano Pavarotti's “Nessun dorma”.
Mason looked equally confident. The Ohio fighter, a standout amateur athlete with a 65-15 record, is widely regarded as one of boxing's future stars.
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He opened with a deft left-hander, but the compact Noakes, keeping his guard high, closed the distance well.
Noakes tried to intimidate Mason and work the body, but was stunned by a well-timed left in the third round.
After an accidental clash of heads, the doctor cleared him to continue. Promoter Frank Warren, who called Noakes one of the brightest British fighters, became inspired and began to encourage him.
Mason began to move freely and showed superior hand speed, but a stubborn Noakes landed a heavy shot right in the fourth round.
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The former British, Commonwealth and European champion quietly, without much fanfare, gained momentum over the years and was in good shape by the middle of the stage.
Noakes picked up a bad injury early on [Getty Images]
A left hook to the body slowed Mason in the seventh round, although he responded with combinations as the fight ebbed and flowed.
But Mason, who had never gone beyond six rounds before, began to assert his control and landed a sharp uppercut in the eighth round – a blow that troubled Noakes repeatedly throughout the fight.
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Noakes was really bothered in the 10th but somehow stayed on his feet, continuing to fight and land body shots in the 11th.
There were a few close rounds and both opponents gave it their all, but Mason deservedly took the decision.
Speaking to BBC Sport last SeptemberNoakes said he wanted the world title win to play out “like a Rocky movie”: getting dropped, picking himself up from the canvas with his eyes blackened, and finding a way to win.
He may not have won, but he played out his own Rocky-style scenario in the ring.
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Perhaps in the future he will achieve more; After such an amazing fight between the two styles, a rematch is guaranteed.
