WE were curious as to what fights had the greatest public impact this year, so we looked at the scale of interest in our online coverage over the last 12 months to see which were the most anticipated, most popular or most intriguing fights of 2015. This chart isn’t about ticket sales or pay per view buys, we wanted to look at which shows generated the most interest. Popularity is hard to gauge but we’ve looked at our most read live blogs and major web stories to see which fights or which shows were the biggest, in terms of fan attention, as they happened. Some of the results might just surprise you. Click below to read on.
- Andy Lee versus Billy Joe Saunders
In the second half of 2015 middleweight took over from welterweight as the sport’s hottest division. Billy Joe Saunders became the third man, along with Gennady Golovkin and Saul Alvarez, to hold a middleweight world title after dramatically dropping Lee and winning the decision.
- Amir Khan versus Chris Algieri
A sign of Amir Khan’s popularity, this fight may have been a low key affair against Chris Algieri but still generated interest, especially as Algieri was more combative than expected.
- Andy Lee versus Peter Quillin
Lee’s first defence of the WBO middleweight title he’d recently secured with an emotional victory over Matt Korobov proved a rollercoaster ride. He and Peter Quillin traded knockdowns and Lee emerged with his world crown after holding Quillin to a draw.
- Saul Alvarez versus James Kirkland
The Mexican sensation is generating a buzz. James Kirkland may not have been the most mobile of opponents but Saul Alvarez smashed him aside in spectacular style.
- Tim Bradley versus Jessie Vargas
A bit of craziness also attracts attention. Tim Bradley was heading for a fairly routine points win, only for a moment of madness to trigger a surge of interest in the fight. Vargas buzzed Bradley in the last round, but the referee misheard what he thought was the bell, he waved it off, Vargas thought he was being awarded a knockout victory. As he celebrated time actually did run out. Bradley duly won on points.
- David Price versus Erkan Teper
Another shock that grabbed the public’s attention. What should have been David Price’s return to the top with a European heavyweight title, ended with a stunning second round knockout.
- Wladimir Klitschko versus Bryant Jennings
Wladimir Klitschko, the world heavyweight champion, is one of the most well known fighters in the sport globally. This was his return to the USA and to HBO. He filled Madison Square Garden on a glitzy night as he defeated American challenger Bryant Jennings.
- Kell Brook versus Frankie Gavin
‘What? Kell Brook-Frankie Gavin? How did that get on this list?’ you might ask. It was more the event, that contained Brook’s world title defence but also featured two world title fights, Kevin Mitchell’s heroic loss to Jorge Linares and Lee Selby’s victory over Evgeny Gradovich, as well as Anthony Joshua crushing former world title challenger Kevin Johnson.
- Miguel Cotto versus Daniel Geale
Miguel Cotto set up his showdown with Saul Alvarez with this expert demolition of a former world champion, Daniel Geale.
- Anthony Joshua versus Dillian Whyte
A rising heavyweight star, Anthony Joshua’s grudge match with his amateur rival Dillian Whyte caught the imagination. Their collision was a thriller, with Joshua setting about Whyte in the first round, a dose of craziness with a ring invasion, Dillian coming back into it before Joshua scored a shuddering knockout.
- Floyd Mayweather versus Andre Berto
Andre Berto might not have been the opponent everyone wanted to see but the last fight of Floyd Mayweather’s glittering wasn’t to be missed.
- Gennady Golovkin versus David Lemieux
Gennady Golovkin’s rise has been one of the highlights of the year. His aggression, as well as his superb technical skills and propensity for spectacular finishes have made him a fan favourite. Against Lemieux he was once again outstanding and added a second world title to his collection.
- Miguel Cotto versus Saul Alvarez
Two of the biggest names in the sport, with fan friendly styles, met in a gripping 12 rounder which has taken Canelo Alvarez to a new level of stardom.
- Wladimir Klitschko versus Tyson Fury
Tyson Fury, outspoken, a little crazy had created a stir ahead of the fight with his Batman costume and press conference outbursts. He proved there was method to the madness as he showboated, and boxed, his way to victory.
- Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao
By far the biggest fight of the year, Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao dwarfed all other fights. The hype had climbed to a fever pitch, five years in the making, the anticipation was simply huge. It would have taken an epic war to live up to that kind of build-up. It was however another Mayweather masterclass, and for most a disappointment.
A rematch of course wouldn’t be as big, but it would surely be bigger than any other fight out there. An interesting proposition, perhaps, for 2016…
