One of the best up and coming contenders of 2014 is undefeated Ukraine Lightweight, Ivan “The Terrible” Redkach (15-0, 13KOs, 1 NC) who has knockout 87 percent of his opponents and is ranked number 13 by the World Boxing Council.
Redkach is highly regarded by many boxing experts including ESPN`s Dan Rafael, Steve Kim of Maxboxing.com, Ring.TV’s Doug Fischer, among others, in large part due to his tremendous knockout power in both hands, going to the body really well and his all-out aggressive offensive style that overwhelms his opponents. The southpaw knockout sensation, looks to continue his destructive path up the lightweight divisional rankings in 2014 as he`s coming off two early knockouts in three fights last year with the other bout being a no-decision due to an accidental head-butt. He has stopped 12 opponents inside three rounds, six of which were in the first round.
Beibut Shumenov, the reigning Light Heavyweight World Boxing Association and the International Boxing Association`s Light Heavyweight Champion and fastest pugilist to obtain a world title in this division in ten bouts; made a triumph return to boxing after being out of the sport for the last 18 months, as he knockdown, previously undefeated, Tamas “Tomi Kid” Kovacs (23-1, 14KOs), three times before referee, Rafael Ramos stopped the bout with 2:55 left in the third round on December 14, 2013 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. 
Marcos “El Chino” Maidana shook up the boxing world as he upset, Adrien “The Problem” Broner over twelve dominating rounds in which he scored two knockdowns and in the process became the new World Boxing Association Champion with an unanimous decision victory by three scorecards of 115-110, 116-109 and 117-109. This competitive and really interesting welterweight bout, which could be considered the upset of the year, was held at the Alamadome in San Antonio, Texas and was televised on Showtime. 
The World Series of Boxing (“WSB”), which is run by the International Boxing Association, is in its fourth season of bringing together some of the best up and coming amateur pugilists in the world who look to gain additional experience and skills while at the same time, earn money and still maintain their Olympic eligibility, before they begin their professional careers. More importantly, the WSB gives boxing an opportunity to develop a well-organized and highly competitive farm system that the sport desperately needs, allowing it to obtain better fighters and more entertaining matchups for its fans at the professional level. 
“Irish” Joey McCreedy from Lowell, Massachusetts improved his record to 15-6-2, 6KOs with an a six round unanimous decision victory over Steven Tyner who dropped to 3-13-2, 2KOs. McCreedy received all three scorecards, 60-54, 60-54 and 59-55 in this light heavyweight matchup. He controlled the fight by outworking and out landing Tyner. He pressed the action and had Tyner backing up for most of the fight. Tyner had an effective jab but he couldn’t get any other sustainable offense going. McCreedy has won two in a row. 
The former International Boxing Organization and North America Boxing Federation Champion, Peter “The Pride of Providence” Manfredo, Jr. scored an eight round technical knockout victory over Richard Gingras, as referee, Joey Lupino stopped the bout with 1:33 left in the round after Manfredo landed more than ten powerful unanswered shots on Gingras who was stumbling towards the ropes and on the verge of being stopped. 
The up and coming orthodox welterweight pugilist, “Speedy” Rashidi Ellis is one of the best prospects to come out of New England in the last couple of years and his outstanding amateur success has him poised to accomplish significant achievements in the near future. 
Undefeated knockout artist, Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin punished Curtis “Showtime” Stevens over seven rounds before Stevens` head trainer and uncle, Andre Rozier saw enough and stopped the fight before the eight round began, preventing Stevens from receiving anymore punishment. Golovkin retained his World Boxing Association (“WBA”) and International Boxing Organization Middleweight Title for the ninth and sixth time respectively. 
After Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr.`s (45-0, 26KOs) twelve round domination against Saul “Canalo” Alvarez last month, garnering the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Council`s Light Middleweight Belts, his claim of being the best pound for pound pugilist of all time, gained even more credence. 
Demetrius “Boo Boo” Andrade (19-0, 13KOs), the 2008 U.S. Olympian and one of the most decorated American amateur pugilists, will get his long awaited opportunity at a world title after several delays and opponent changes, when he takes on the former 2004 Olympian, Vanes “Nightmare” Martirosyan (33-0-1, 21KOs) on November 9th in Corpus Christi, Texas, for the vacant World Boxing Organization`s (“WBO”) Junior Middleweight Championship.