From a heavyweight title clash between Wladimir Klitschko and hungry KO artist Deontay Wilder, to a mega-fight at welterweight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao – here is the final outcome:
Wladimir Klitschko v Deontay Wilder (heavyweight)
It was probably twelve months premature for Wilder to face four-belt champion Klitschko, but that meeting could move considerably closer if the ‘Bronze Bomber’ can take the WBC title away from Bermane Stiverne on January 17.
Klitschko is known to harbour hopes of claiming his brother Vitali’s old belt, and if Wilder can become world champion next month, a bout between the two will be a distinct possibility for the summer of 2015.
Nathan Cleverly v Tony Bellew II (cruiserweight)
Bout took place on November 22 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. Result: Tony Bellew via split decision.
Adonis Stevenson v Sergey Kovalev (light-heavyweight)
There were high hopes that a unification between the two champions would happen in 2014 until WBC title holder Stevenson made the switch from HBO to Showtime. Kovalev then went on to fight Bernard Hopkins in a three-belt battle that would ultimately crown the Russian as the best in the division.
Both sides are making the right noises about the fight happening in 2015, although the sticking point would obviously be the TV rights, which could put the brakes on the fight yet again.
Andre Ward v Gennady Golovkin (super-middleweight)
Middleweight king Golovkin has been vocal in his bid to meet all comers between 154 and 168lbs, although has never gone through with a bout at any other weight than 160lbs.
Ward has been embroiled in a contract dispute with Goossen Boxing which has stalled his career for almost two years and any contest against Golovkin looks a million miles away until the American sorts out his next move.
Sergio Martinez v Miguel Cotto (middleweight)
Bout took place on June 7 at Madison Sqaure Garden as Cotto dominated and stopped Martinez to win a fourth weight world title.
Saul Alvarez v Erislandy Lara (light-middleweight)
Bout took place on July 12 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with Alvarez taking a split decision win to move to 44-1-1.
Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao (welterweight)
There was less talk of the clash happening in 2014 due to Marcos Maidana’s impressive performance against Mayweather in May. The Argentinian was granted a rematch in September due to his previous ability to make Mayweather look faded, although ‘Money’ showed that when on his game there is nobody who can compete with him and duly scored a wide victory the second time around.
Talk has now shifted once again to a fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao happening this year, even more so after the American announced his intention to make the fight in a pre-Christmas speech made on Showtime.
Danny Garcia v Brandon Rios (light-welterweight)
This clash was a non-starter in 2014 due the fact that Rios can no longer make the 140lb limit. Garcia himself has now been linked to a move up to welterweight where bigger fights await, including a possible fight with Rios if ‘Bam Bam’ can overcome his arch-rival Mike Alvarado in their 2015 rubber match.
Adrien Broner v Yuriorkis Gamboa (lightweight)
Another hard fight to make due to weight as Broner now campaigns at 140lbs and higher, whilst Gamboa has remained at 135lbs despite looking out of his depth against Terence Crawford earlier this year.
Mikey Garcia v Sergio Thompson (super-featherweight)
Garcia quickly moved up in weight following a successful defence against Juan Carlos Burgos and is yet to announce his first bout at the lightweight limit.
Leo Santa Cruz v Abner Mares (featherweight)
Santa Cruz is still to make the move to 126lbs, although the fight remains a possibility at either super-bantamweight or featherweight in 2015.
Guillermo Rigondeaux v Nonito Donaire II (super-bantamweight)
Rigondeaux found it hard to nail down high-profile opponents in 2014, whilst Donaire lost out to Nicholas Walters and may now look to move further up in weight.
Stuart Hall v Jamie McDonnell II (bantamweight)
Although Hall lost out to Randy Caballero for the IBF title in 2014, a UK rematch could still be on the table if the former champion can score a victory in his return to action.
Omar Narvaez v Carlos Cuadras (super-flyweight)
The fight never got off the ground in 2014 and Narvaez was dethroned of his WBO title making retirement an option for the Argentinian. Cuadras became a world champion himself and may still be able to offer Narvaez the chance to regain his status in 2015.
Juan Estrada v Brian Viloria II (flyweight)
Both fighters stayed undefeated through 2014 leaving a rematch between them in 2015 open.
Kazuto Ioka v John Riel Casimero (light-flyweight)
The two fighters operate at flyweight leaving a fight possible at the higher weight.
Xiong Zhao Zhong v Mario Rodriguez (minimumweight)
Zhong lost out to Hekkie Budler in a world title fight in 2014 and could now decide to move up in weight where Rodriguez is now operating.
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