As the new year dawns, the boxing world is looking forward to what promises to be an action-packed 2018.
With a heavyweight division as exciting as it has been for some time, and the emergence of several stars over the last 12 months, the sport is thriving.
But it wasn't all good last year, as boxing threatened to veer into the showbusiness pages more often than the sport ones.
Here, we look back at what we loved and hated in 2017, and what we're looking forward to in the months ahead...
David Anderson
Five fights I loved in 2017
1. Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko
This fight would comfortably make my all-time top five fights, yet alone just for 2017. It had everything - a record 90,000 crowd inside Wembley, Joshua nearly winning it in the fifth, then looking like he was beaten just a round later when he was floored before THAT showreel uppercut and stoppage in the 11th.
2. Nicola Adams v Maryan Salazar
Adams’ professional debut a month earlier at the Manchester Arena had been somewhat underwhelming, but this more than made up for it. Adams’ home crowd at Leeds’ First Direct Arena created a crackling atmosphere and the double Olympic champ did not disappoint, stopping Salazar in three rounds.
3. Anthony Crolla v Ricky Burns
After his two defeats to Jorge Linares, Crolla knew this was his last shot of returning to the big time. And he delivered in front of his home fans at Manchester Arena as he beat the game Burns by a unanimous decision. Burns played his part to the full and showed great bravery to push Crolla all the way. Both men proved they still have plenty to give.
4. Billy Joe Saunders v David Lemieux
WBO middleweight champ Saunders often does not get the recognition he deserves for his talent, but he was rightly hailed for his brilliant display in beating former IBF title holder Lemieux in his Quebec backyard. He schooled him in one of the best performances abroad by a Brit. Hopefully Saunders will get the big fight he deserves in 2018.
5.George Groves v Fedor Chudinov
After failing in his three previous world title bids, Groves emulated Frank Bruno by becoming world champion at the fourth attempt. He outclassed Chudinov at Bramall Lane and stopped him in the sixth to become the WBA Super super-middleweight champ.
Five fights I hated in 2017
1. Conor McGregor v Floyd Mayweather Jr
I didn’t just hate this ‘fight’ - I despised it with all of my being. This was not boxing. This was two blokes fooling people into making tens of millions each. It was a total farce and sullied Mayweather’s reputation as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
2. David Haye v Tony Bellew
Again this was another fabricated rivalry designed to make each fighter loads of cash. The trash talking in the build-up did neither fighter any credit, while the fight was a joke, with Haye hobbling around the ring one legged with a torn Achilles, while Bellew couldn't punch properly because he had a bust hand. Hopefully the rematch will be much, much better.
3. Kell Brook v Errol Spence Jr
I wouldn't say I hated this fight, but it was definitely a low point for 2017 seeing Brook lose his cherished IBF welterweight world title. He showed his massive courage against Spence as he somehow managed to last until the 11 round, despite a fractured eye socket, before being beaten. It was a sad end to his reign as world champion, but a dazzling display from Spence.
4. Joseph Parker v Hughie Fury
This one goes under the category of hugely disappointing. I expected to be impressed by Parker’s power, but he looked very ordinary and one-dimensional against Fury. Fury’s camp claimed they were robbed after losing on points and yet again moaned about conspiracy theories, blah, blah, blah! But Fury just danced around the outside of the ring, flicking out his jab at Parker, and didn’t engage enough to win.
5. James DeGale v Caleb Truax
I know DeGale isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’ve had a soft spot since covering him winning Commonwealth Games gold in Melbourne in 2006. He made history by becoming the first British fighter to win an Olympic and world title, but it all came crashing down against Truax, to leave him questioning his future. I was saddened to see him reduced to this when he should be building towards another showdown with Groves.
Five fighters to watch in 2018
1. Daniel Dubois
This exciting heavyweight is only 20 and has smashed all six hapless opponents unlucky enough to be put in front of him. He stopped Anthony Joshua-victim Dorian Darch in his last fight. Promoter Frank Warren thinks highly of him and rightly so.
2. Anthony Yarde
Yarde is already 14-0 with 13 stoppages and holds the WBO European and WBO inter-continental title at light-heavyweight. Expect him to win bigger titles soon.
3. Nathan Gorman
The British heavyweight scene is booming and Nathan Gorman is another prospect. The 21-year-old is 11-0 with nine stoppages and impressively beat Mohamed Soltby last time out to claim the WBC international Silver title.
4. Laurence Okolie
Okolie is 7-0 with six stoppages at cruiserweight after competing for Team GB at the Rio Olympics as a heavyweight. He has a tasty clash with Isaac Chamberlain at The O2 on February 3 and looks destined for big things.
5. Joshua Buatsi
Buatsi won bronze at Rio at light-heavyweight and is managed by Anthony Joshua after joining the paid ranks. He is already 3-0 at light-heavyweight and will next appear on the undercard of Okolie and Chamberlain.
One fight I want to see in 2018
It has to be Anthony Joshua v Deontay Wilder. Hopefully Joshua will have relieved Parker of the WBO title first, giving the winner the chance to make history by becoming the first fighter to hold all four major belts and be the true king of the heavyweight division. Promoter Eddie Hearn hopes to make it towards the back end of 2018 and let’s hope he is successful. I’d also like to see Crolla v Luke Campbell and Carl Frampton v Lee Selby.
Tom Hopkinson
Five fights I loved in 2017
1. James DeGale v Badou Jack
The two best super-middleweights on the planet — at the time — went toe-to-toe in a war of attrition which ended in a controversial majority draw. Jack was down in the first round with DeGale on the canvas in the 12th. One judge scored the contest 114-112, while the other two returned verdicts of 113-113. The Brit suffered a damaged ear and lost a tooth, and when he finally returned at the end of the year, suffering a defeat to Caleb Truax, the big question was how much this fight had taken out of him.
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2. David Haye v Tony Bellew
The build-up wasn’t big and it wasn’t clever … but, boy, was it fun, even if both men overstepped the mark at times. Two motor-mouths who know how to sell a fight going at it hammer and tongs. That wasn’t the case in the ring with Haye snapping an Achilles tendon in the sixth round, just as he was beginning to look like he might get on top. Bellew took full advantage to shock the bigger man, finally winning the bout with an 11th-round stoppage.
3. Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko
What a night at Wembley Stadium: a packed, 80,000 crowd, an incredible atmosphere, three world heavyweight titles on the line and a battle to match. It swung Joshua’s way, then Klitschko’s, then finally Joshua’s again as the Brit ended the classy Ukrainian’s long and respected career with an 11th-round TKO. Talks over a rematch were held but Joshua had done enough to send Klitschko into retirement.
4. George Groves v Jamie Cox
Not a classic fight itself and one that was always going to go the way of a George Groves win. But it set up a 2018 clash between Groves and Chris Eubank Junior — who was ringside — that will be highly anticipated. Groves was a class above Jamie Cox, maybe two classes, in the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Super Series. And he won in four rounds, ending the fight with a clinical body shot. The verbal jousting between Groves and Eubank, who will meet on February 17, began in the ring shortly after the final bell and you can bet your life that ‘Saint George’ will be relishing what is to come with Eubank and his dad, Chris Senior, out of the ring in the next five or six weeks.
5. Billy Joe Saunders v David Lemieux
Billy Joe Saunders produced one of the performances of the year to take a unanimous decision over David Lemieux and defend his WBO ‘world’ middleweight belt in Canada this month. He stunned the home fighter with a near-flawless display that was broadcast on HBO and won’t half have woken up the north American audience to Saunders’s capabilities. “I have known Billy for a long, long time and that was his best performance,” said close pal, Tyson Fury. “He made a real dangerous fighter look like a novice and he broke his heart.” Saunders will fight again in March ahead of a proposed September date with Saul Alvarez or Gennady Golovkin, who are understood to have agreed to a rematch on May 5.
Five fights I hated in 2017
1. Floyd Mayweather v Conor McGregor
A showbiz spectacular rather than a boxing match that was only ever going to end with one winner. UFC star McGregor was a more creditable opponent for the unbeaten Mayweather than many expected but still there was the feeling that the boxer could have ended the fight anytime he wanted before eventually doing so with a 10th-round TKO. The only surprise was that so many people bought into the hype and gave UFC star McGregor a chance … then paid to see it.
2. Canelo Alvarez v Gennady Golovkin
Not necessarily for the fight itself, just the result of it, with a battle between the two men widely considered the top pound-for-pound fighters on the planet ending in a controversial split draw with Adelaide Byrd’s 118-110 scoring, in Canelo’s favour, copping a real backlash and offsetting Dave Moretti’s 113-115 and Don Trella’s 114-114. Many felt Golovkin should have been awarded the victory but the good news is they’re getting set to do it again on Cinco de Mayo, May 5, 2018 so we shouldn’t have to wait too long for any scores to be settled once and for all.
3. Hughie Fury v Joseph Parker
Hughie Fury enhanced his reputation by taking WBO heavyweight champion Joseph Parker the distance and credit for that, but this wasn’t a classic by a long shot and ended controversially amid claims of a conspiracy. It was certainly far closer than scores of 118-110 returned by two of the judges would have you believe — the third judge scored it 114-114 — and Fury’s promoter Mick Hennessy claimed, without proof, at the final bell that there had been “corruption at the highest level in boxing”.
4. Dillian Whyte v Robert Helenius
This was supposed to be the fight that reiterated Dillian Whyte’s world championship challenger status and sent out messages to Deontay Wilder and Joseph Parker but the Jamaica-born Brit did little to back up his credentials on the night. He had an awful first couple of rounds and was rocked, momentarily, in the second. He did control the bout from thereon in, though, and won comfortably on the judges’ scorecards, missing out on the knockout blow the heavy-hitter had hoped for.
5. James DeGale v Caleb Truax
A truly horrible night for WBA super-middleweight champion DeGale, who produced a horror show in his first fight back in England in three years. This was meant to be a tune-up for clashes against any or two of George Groves, Chris Eubank Junior and Callum Smith in 2018 but the unfancied Caleb Truax was far more durable than anyone had expected and he took DeGale’s belt and left question marks over the Londoner’s career.
Five fighters to watch in 2018
1. Oleksandr Usyk
The WBO ‘world’ cruiserweight champion and Olympic 2012 gold medalist wants to unify the division in 2018 and he can take a step towards achieving his dream when he goes toe-to-toe with WBC ‘world’ cruiserweight top dog Mairis Breidis in Riga, Latvia on January 27 in the semi-finals of the World Boxing Super Series. Promoter Kalle Sauerland dubbed it, “the biggest unification fight in the division [for] many, many years”.
2. Naoya Inoue
All but one of the WBO ‘world’ super-flyweight champion’s 14 fights have taken place on home soil in Japan and while many fight fans are yet to see much, if anything, of the 24-year-old they are well aware of his reputation. Dubbed ‘The Monster’, Inoue is known for his heavy, heavy body shots and his victory over Antonio Nieves in California in September whetted the appetite for all that is to come from the man from The Land of the Rising Sun.
3. Anthony Yarde
Raw aggression, speed, power, desire, personality and an incredible physique, this kid has the lot. Won the European light-heavyweight crown in 2017 and if he keeps on the same trajectory it won’t be too long before he is targeting the world scene.
4. Daniel Dubois
Like Yarde, another rising star from Frank Warren’s stable of whom huge big things are expected. Rumour has it the promising heavyweight dropped Anthony Joshua in sparring and, while still raw, he can’t stop knocking opponents out. Big, big power and big, big potential. And, still aged just 20, he will be a real powerhouse when he matures.
5. Josh Kelly
David Haye's former trainer Adam Booth can barely contain his excitement about the 23-year-old welterweight, who fought for Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics. His first five outings all ended in victory, four by way of knockout, and Booth said of the Sunderland man: “Josh has such a unique skill-set. He’s the most talented fighter I’ve ever worked with. He is the most complete fighter at this stage of his career, I see him becoming world champion. Not just a world champion but a world champion who really catches the public’s imagination.”
One fight I want to see in 2018
Yes, it’s the obvious one, but as soon as Anthony Joshua has dealt with Joseph Parker in late March/early April he’ll set his sights on WBC champion Deontay Wilder in his bid to unify the decision. Expect verbal fireworks from the American in the build-up and an explosive night upon which one of them will walk away as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. In everyone’s eyes bar Tyson Fury's.
Martin Domin
Five fights I loved in 2017
1. Anthony Joshua v Wladimir Klitschko
What to say that hasn't been said above? The fight which saw the Brit come of age against a fabled champion many had written off. Joshua will have tougher fights in his career, but perhaps none as defining.
2. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai v Roman Gonzalez
Gonzalez sat atop several pound-for-pound lists before this one as he began to make an impact in America. Rungvisai was less well known but made sure everyone sat up and took notice after a thrilling back-and-forth war. Gonzalez lost his unbeaten record after a controversial majority decision - and then lost the rematch by brutal fourth-round KO six months later.
3. Leo Santa Cruz v Carl Frampton
The rematch might not have reached the heights of the pair's first meeting but the credit for that must go to Santa Cruz and his team for developing the gameplan that allowed him to avenge his earlier defeat. For Frampton, this defeat kicked off what would prove to be a nightmare year for the Northern Irishman - 2018 can surely only be an improvement.
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4. Badou Jack v James DeGale
The year may have ended with DeGale losing his world title but it began with him putting it on the line against a fellow champion in what was a thrilling fight. Both men were knocked down as they each clung on to their belts by virtue of a draw. Jack will go on to prove just how good a result this was for the Brit; DeGale's future is somewhat less certain.
5. Conor McGregor v Floyd Mayweather Jr
Sue me. Anyone who didn't accept this fight for what it was - a cleverly manipulated piece of showbusiness - needs to lighten up. Two rich men earned even more money by putting on a spectacle that was never likely to be a competitive fight; and people enjoyed it. What's wrong with that?
Five fights I hated in 2017
1. Hughie Fury v Joseph Parker
Fury has not been without his problems in his professional career, and deserves plaudits for taking the world champion the distance, but this fight was a mess from the minute it was announced until the final bell. The promotion was poor, the attendance awful, and the lack of action enough to send those who did turn up into a deep sleep. One suspects Parker won't enjoy such an easy ride against Anthony Joshua.
2. Chris Eubank Jr v Renold Quinlan
I hope no-one reading this considers the IBO belt to be a genuine world title, and the way this fight was marketed for having one at stake sticks in the throat. Not to mention it was on pay-per-view! Eubank will get his chance to prove he's world class against George Groves next month but until then, lets not mention those three letters.
3. Conor Benn v Cedrick Peynaud
Yes this was a thrilling fight over six rounds at York Hall but referee Bob Williams' decision to award the fight to Benn by 57-54 was disgraceful. It doesn't take Carol Vorderman to work out that there was some dodgy maths going on after Benn was knocked down twice in the opening round. Scoring in boxing continues to tarnish the sport.
4. Deontay Wilder v Bermane Stiverne
It wasn't Wilder's fault that Luis Ortiz failed a drugs test and couldn't challenge for the world heavyweight title, but the decision to allow him to face Stiverne for a second time proved a foolish one. It's debatable whether Stiverne did any more than turn up and bank his cheque, given his poor performance.
5. Gervonta Davis v Francisco Fonseca
Davis had wowed the London crowd three months earlier when he stopped Liam Walsh to retain his world title, but failed to make weight for his fight on the Mayweather-McGregor undercard. The 23-year-old is an undoubted talent but needs to change his attitude in 2018 if he is to realise his potential.
Five fighters to watch in 2018
1. Josh Kelly
Five fights in 2017 brought five victories and all, unusually, against opponent with winning records. At just 23, Kelly has the style and personality - and the time - to establish himself as a genuine star of British boxing this year.
2. Joe Joyce
Talk of pretenders to the throne in the heavyweight division centres around Daniel Dubois, but Joyce should not be excluded from the conversation. The Olympic silver medalist began his professional career with a stoppage of veteran Ian Lewison - a better opponent than any of Dubois' - and he should have the British title in his sights before long.
3. Spike O'Sullivan
The Irishman disappeared from many radars after his defeat by Chris Eubank Jr in 2015 but he has rebounded well, winning five straight since the second loss of his career. His win over the touted Antoine Douglas last month could pave the way for a big 2018, and perhaps a rematch with Billy Joe Saunders.
4. Jerwin Ancajas
The Filipino gave brave Jamie Conlan a torrid time in Belfast in November as he introduced himself to boxing fans in the UK and Ireland with a punch-perfect display. The other world champions in the super-flyweight division - our own Kal Yafai, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Naoya Inoue would all make for thrilling contests.
5. Jermall Charlo
If the middleweight division in 2017 was about Gennady Golovkin vs Canelo Alvarez, it might centre around one of the two Charlo twins this year. With Canelo and GGG squabbling over their rematch, it can be up to Jermall and Billy Joe Saunders to lay down the gauntlet.
One fight I want to see in 2018
Tyson Fury against anyone. Boxing needs him, and the heavyweight division certainly needs him, but can he find the motivation to put himself through a proper training camp? I hope so; and then we can start to dream of him taking on Anthony Joshua at Wembley...
Jamie Bullen
Five fights I loved in 2017
Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko
One of the most hyped fights in 2017, barring the Mayweather/McGregor circus, and it certainly lived up to it. Both men were sent tumbling to the canvas and looked beaten at one point before displaying their willingness to tough it out. The bout will be remembered as a Wembley classic.
Jorge Linares vs Luke Campbell
A gutsy display from the Hull fighter almost earned him a memorable victory over Jorge Linares in September. Not many, including myself, had much hope the Venezuelan three-weight world champion would be toppled but Campbell showed heart and spirit to recover from a second round knockdown before losing on an agonising split decision.
James DeGale vs Badou Jack
The start of 2017 looked so good for DeGale after a valiant performance against the classy Badou Jack. The fight very much resembled a pendulum with DeGale starting quickly and earning a knockdown before Jack came back in true warrior style. Groves and Cleverly have both fought and were outclassed by the Swede but DeGale was certainly a match for him.
Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin
Unfortunately the result became the talking point during this competitive fight between two genuine world class fighters. Many said GGG was robbed of victory of arguably his most impressive opponent to date as a draw was declared in September. A blockbuster rematch is needed to settle the debate once and for all.
Tony Bellew vs David Haye
This British bust-up had plenty of drama inside the ring to match the toxic build up outside of it. Though Haye’s injury will be seen as a turning point as he fought on one leg, Bellew surprised many by taking his punches and inflicting his own before stopping him to secure a dramatic upset. Hope the sequel will be just as entertaining.
Five fights I hated in 2017
Hughie Fury vs Joseph Parker
The younger Fury believes he was robbed of becoming a world champion following his fight with WBO champ Parker in September. But though he showed his footwork was fancy, his offensive qualities proved far from impressive. Parker was aggressive but lacked the quality to land his punches leading to tight and arguably dull fight. Fury showed his undoubted ability but will need to show more ambition to claim the belts.
Dillian Whyte vs Robert Helenius
The fight lacked quality but was also a missed opportunity for Whyte who failed to capitalise as the main contender for the Joshua, Parker and Wilder. The Bodysnatcher was the unanimous winner but wasn’t able to stop the immobile Nordic Nightmare in October. Hopefully, he will make amends against Lucas Browne in their proposed March clash.
Deontay Wilder vs Bermane Stiverne
Quite simply, this was over too quickly. The rematch in November between the pair following their 12-round battle in 2015 proved to be a brutal exhibition of Wilder's power. The US heavyweight champ showed he is a class apart in the division.
James DeGale vs Caleb Truax
The unfancied American deserves huge credit for snatching the IBF Supermiddleweight title off DeGale in his home city in December. But this fight was disappointing in the sense the Olympic gold medallist woefully under performed. Hopefully he can shrug off talk of retirement to make a determined comeback in 2018 and conquer his demons inflicted by Truax
Geroge Groves vs Jamie Cox
When the Super Series tournament was announced I was excited to see the elite fighters fronting up against one another. But this all British contest in October failed to get the juices flowing. Cox a decent record but just couldn't challenge Groves, who showed why he chose him as his tournament opener
5 fighters to watch this year
Anthony Yarde
The upcoming light-heavyweight star, who featured on the Mirror's Seconds Out podcast in November, has already made a name for himself in the division with a top 10 ranking in the WBO. Building a reputation for himself as a ruthless finisher, Yarde is yet to be taken to the deeper rounds. Will be interesting to see what's in store for him.
Daniel Dubois
The young heavyweight has demolished the fighters put in front of him so far in his fledgling boxing career. At 20, he has already been tipped to follow Anthony Joshua by becoming a future world champion. The South London powerhouse will need tougher tests in 2018 but the road to stardom is already alight.
Dmitry Bivol
The Russian light-heavyweight burst onto the scene in 2017 and promises to be one of the most exciting fighters on the planet. Has already won a world title in what is fast becoming a competitive division and a mega fight is in store with compatriot Sergey Kovalev.
Conor Benn
Fans saw the good and bad of Conor Benn in the space of months after a blistering debut in the US was followed up with a shaky slugfest in which he bravely fought back to beat Cedrick Peynaud. Plenty of similarities have been drawn with his father and 2018 could be the year he lives up to the comparisons.
Tyson Fury
Whether you like him or not surely everyone wants a fit and focused Fury back in the ring in 2018. Much has been talked about and written following his personal struggles. Now fans will want to see back in shape and living up to his quest to reclaim the titles that were stripped off him.
One fight I want to see in 2018
Anthony Joshua v Deontay Wilder. This mouth-watering unification contest would get everyone fixated on the heavyweight division. Both men possess incredible power and with their unbeaten records at stake could be an all time classic.