Superfights with a Legitimate Chance to Be Made in 2015
Let's be clear on one thing: A "superfight" is a fight where both combatants have huge fanbases and legitimate, top-of-the-weight class and/or pound-for-pound standing.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Amir Khan or Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas would likely end up on pay-per-view, because they feature Mayweather and Pacquiao. But let's not try to pass off those fights as "superfights."
Superfights have immediate ramifications for the top spots in boxing and potential implications for the history of the sport.
A superfight, of course, would be Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. If the two stars do not agree to finally fight each other, they are limited for other legitimate, superfight-worthy opponents.
Still, there is more potential than there has been in years for legitimate superfight showdowns in 2015. A number of potential matchups could gain superfight-worthy status.
8. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao
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Given the amount of money that is at stake if this fight ever happened, it has to be viewed as a legitimate possibility. Still, I don't believe this fight is actually any closer to happening than it was three years ago.
Until I see Pacquiao and Mayweather at a press conference together, I don't believe it is happening.
At this point, I almost don't want the fight to happen. I think a lot of casual fans would get jacked up to see it and then be disappointed by a careful Mayweather decision.
Then again, it tends to be good for anybody making a dollar around boxing when the biggest possible fights get made. So if Mayweather and Pacquiao finally do decide to get in the ring after all these years, I'll be as excited as anybody.
7. Floyd Mayweather vs. Gennady Golovkin
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Gennady Golovkin would be a dangerous matchup for Mayweather, and so I do not blame him for not making this fight. Golovkin is a far bigger man. If Marcos Maidana was able to bully Mayweather physically at points, Golovkin might fairly succeed in mauling him.
But if Mayweather doesn't fight Pacquiao in 2015, Golokin is the only other opponent for the pound-for-pound king who would truly be worthy of a superfight.
Mayweather vs. Khan can never truly be sold as a superfight. It's hard to view it as anything but an opportunity for Mayweather to establish that he can outbox the Brit, which most boxing fans already strongly suspect.
Golovkin is the only opponent for Mayweather, aside from Pacquiao, who can be sold as enough of a threat to truly interest fans as an epic fight.
Still, I would be shocked if this fight ever took place.
6. Gennady Golovkin vs. Andre Ward
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Andre Ward has now been inactive for more than a year. A fighter out of action that long should be dropped from all credible rankings until he is prepared to announce an official return to the ring.
But at this point, Ward is in short supply of opponents who could provide him a worthwhile payday, given his own pound-for-pound standing.
Either of the Dirrell brothers would be a legitimate opponent for Ward. A best-case scenario for Ward would be that Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. beats Carl Froch and then calls him out.
But I would favor Froch to beat Chavez.
The only true superfight possible for Ward next year is undefeated middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. This fight is inevitable at some point, but it isn't likely to happen next year.
Meanwhile, Ward needs to get active again and stay in position to welcome GGG to super middleweight in 2016.
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5. Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez V
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While it's unlikely that Pacquiao and Mayweather will fight in 2015, I wouldn't be shocked to see Pac-Man step into the ring one last time against his greatest rival, Juan Manuel Marquez.
For Pacquiao, it would give him the chance to avenge Marquez's stunning Round 6 KO in 2012. For Marquez, Pacquiao's WBO welterweight belt would be up for grabs—and thus the opportunity to be Mexico's first five-division world champion.
There would be some complaining that "we've seen it before so many times," but I'd like to remind such whiners that every one of those fights was at least exciting. The bouts have provided numerous moments of epic historical value.
4. Gennady Golovkin vs. the Winner of Saul Alvarez vs. Miguel Cotto
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When Miguel Cotto stunned the boxing public by battering Sergio Martinez last June and seizing the lineal middleweight title, it was a feel-good moment in the year. But it also begged the obvious question of whether Cotto, unlike Martinez, would be willing to face the division's obvious No. 1 contender, Gennady Golovkin.
Golovkin is an undefeated knockout machine, and he holds the WBA belt. Any title at 160 pounds that is not defended against him is ultimately meaningless.
I can understand the business sense of Cotto fighting Saul Alvarez first. That is a superfight, as well.
But if the winner of Alvarez vs. Cotto doesn't face Golovkin in the second half of the year in a second superfight, he will be ducking GGG.
3. Wladimir Klitschko vs. the Winner of Bermane Stiverne vs. Deontay Wilder
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Deontay Wilder and Bermane Stiverne will meet in January to fight for Stiverne's WBC belt. That is a fight that American fans are truly looking forward to, and if the winner stops the other man in exciting fashion, I can imagine him emerging as an opponent for Wladimir Klitschko later in the year, in what could be built up as a true superfight.
There is a strong chance that Klitschko will defend all the other belts against Bryant Jennings in the first part of the year. With both portions of the heavyweight title being fought over in North American to start the year, a lot of momentum might build up for a unification fight.
A true, heavyweight title fight, with a legendary champion and a rising, power-punching phenom, could be on the books for 2015. It's been years since that kind of event has taken place in the United States.
2. Sergey Kovalev vs. Adonis Stevenson
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When Adonis Stevenson stunned Chad Dawson with a one-punch knockout to capture the WBC and lineal light heavyweight titles in 2013, it made Superman an instant star. But as 2014 ends, Sergey Kovalev has unified all three of the other major belts.
So this fight should happen in 2015. It's the only fight that will put Stevenson back into the spotlight in the weight class where he is the nominal champion of record.
The winner of Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal will be the WBC mandatory defense for Stevenson, as well. If this one falls into place the way it should, it will be a pay-per-view in Canada.
1. Miguel Cotto vs. Saul Alvarez
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This fight seems inevitable, even if it has not been officially made. Cotto will defend his WBC and lineal middleweight titles against Alvarez in 2015. It will have the potential to break pay-per-view records.
Alvarez and Cotto both have huge, dedicated fanbases and look to match up stylistically as a great fight. After beating an aging star in Sergio Martinez, Cotto will have the opportunity to take out a rising star.
While I remain a skeptical about Mayweather and Pacquiao ever fighting, I am positive that Cotto vs. Alvarez will happen.
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