Boxing 2015: Who said what from July to December

It was an amazing year when it came to verbal warfare, boxing banter and British fighters talking the talk yet crucially, walking the walk.

We saw the world No 1 walk away from the sport, a new heavyweight force emerge and plenty of bitter rivalry come to the fore; here are some stand-out quotes from the second half of 2015...

July

"You have about as much charisma as my underpants!"
Der sexymeister Tyson Fury took on Wladimir Klitschko at the first press conference and left a boxer short (pun intended).

"If he really wants the fight I'm happy to fight him in his own backyard, but we just need to remember who's the boss when it comes to negotiating."
Carl Frampton challenges Scott Quigg as the fight Great Britain wants to see, from Belfast to Manchester, begins to take shape.

"I'm bitterly disappointed not to have the world title to take home with me. I thought I'd done enough but I won't sit around crying."
Anthony Crolla's positive outlook was pushed to its boundaries after he had to settle for a draw against Darleys Perez. The familiar smile disappeared, but not for long.

There is nothing like the highs and lows you go through in boxing but I've said all along, my new role is the next best thing. I am excited just thinking about it and one thing I do know is I will be talking less about myself. And I know you'll enjoy that!

"He said that we were just associates. Luke forgets that three or four years ago when we weren't boxing, we were working on the market stall together, selling bubble swords to kids for a quid each."
The Rumble on the Humber was approaching and Tommy Coyle might well have felt like he'd been stabbed in the back by Luke Campbell. With a bubble sword. 

"I certainly know he would not want to step into my world. The world of pure unarmed combat where there's no limitations, but I most certainly would step into his world."
UFC king Connor McGregor threw his name into either ring as we were waiting for Floyd Mayweather to announce his next fight. 

August

"I want to see a contract. I want to hear a date. What do you think, Amir? Are you going to be ready in October, November? You want a Christmas present in December?"
Keith Thurman was more than happy to sit and wait for Amir Khan. Who in turn was still waiting on Mayweather.

"You've got a guy who has been entertaining with his mouth and somewhat with his performances as well, but mostly with his mouth and stuff. I'll root for him."
Deontay Wilder admitted he now wanted social media buddy Tyson Fury to walk the walk on the back of his talking the talk.

"It will be third time lucky this time. We've prepared diligently, we're ready for action."

"He's a young, strong fighter who is hungry to take down the best."
Floyd Mayweather finally confirmed his final fight would be against Andre Berto, who was a sprightly 32. A full three years older than Khan.

"He was a model professional who has been in some great fights and doesn't need the money. He's been a great servant, has got the money and it's just a mind-boggler."
Ricky Hatton knew only too well how hard the comeback can be, so Shane Mosley's decision to return to the ring left him baffled.

 "It was a fantastic fight. What a tough man this is. I hit him with some cracking shots and he waved me on again. Credit to Tommy."
Luke Campbell beat his friend-cum-associate Tommy Coyle and after a shake of hands, they went their separate ways.

September

"It's been a bad summer with the Ashes but I can settle the score."
Joel Brunker flew in from down under to fight Josh Warrington and while he wasn't dropped, was continually caught and stumped over the 12 rounds.

"If the British public want it and demand it, let's do it. But we'll have to negotiate the purse. Maybe 90 [to me], 10 per cent to him."
James DeGale offered George Groves a fourth world title tilt following his dear friend's defeat to WBC super-middleweight champion Badou Jack

"There's nothing left to prove in the sport of boxing."
It was done and dusted. Floyd Mayweather beat Andre Berto with ease and said he would not try to break Rocky Marciano's record. 49 and out.

Now I want to get involved - I want to get back in it and start trading blows with some of these big boys.

"There's a fighter called Chris Eubank Jr from England. I think he's going to be the next guy to replace Floyd."
So who is going to fill the gap left by Mayweather? Chris Eubank Jr of course, said Chris Eubank Jr.

"I am so sorry that I am not able to fight on October 24. I also apologise to my opponent, who has spent many weeks preparing for this fight. I will do my very best to recover as fast as possible."
Wladimir Klitschko's calf problem forced him to postpone the Tyson Fury fight. Even Batman couldn't save the day. 

October

"In my heart I know I won. At the end of the bout, Ramirez even whispered to me twice that he thought I got the victory."
Just 11 days' notice and a 7,000 mile trip to Buenos Aries to challenge IBF cruiserweight king Victor Ramirez in his own backyard was hard enough, but Ovill McKenzie had to settle for a draw despite looking to have done enough. The Upsetter was rightly upset.

"My injury will heal quickly enough for me to enter the ring on November 28. I will promptly continue my training camp preparations and, of course, I am very happy to still be fighting this year."
Wladimir Klitschko's confirmation was even quicker than his recovery but at least the fight was back on. We hoped... 

I've seen posters on my way down to the gym, on billboards, in parks but everything has just come crashing down.

"Any journalist using that bad language in boxing is bringing our sport into disrepute."
Chris Eubank Sr called on boxers, boxing fans and boxing writers to mind their language. English lessons haven't changed.

"You may not personally like someone but ultimately, I do respect him."
If Nathan Cleverly's display against Andrzej Fonfara in Chicago surprised us, then Tony Bellew's post-fight view shocked us.

"I just don't like the way he talks. He talks so much c**p. It's the worst garbage I've ever heard from a boxing trainer."
Oliver Harrison made it clear he had no time for fellow north-west trainer Joe Gallagher. Now, English, did he also bring the sport into disrepute?

November

 "I'm delighted that we have finally got this fight signed - the fight everyone has wanted for years, none more so than myself." Scott Quigg
"I've finally got the fight I've wanted for so long - February 27 will be the best night of my life." Carl Frampton
The super-bantamweight showdown was finally signed and sealed. It is a genuine 50-50 pick-em... especially when it came to the fighters' reaction.

"I've dreamt this dream since I was 10 years of age. I didn't know it would be this good, honestly. It's even better than I dreamt."
At last a good guy did come first with Anthony Crolla finally crowned world champion, finishing Darleys Perez with a cracking body shot.

"He has a lot of growing up to do."
Floyd Mayweather stopped beating people in the ring but made it clear that he'd replaced it with a beef with Adrien Broner.

For the four of us to get it is something we're very proud of.

"Everyone's building this big fight up like it's a be-all and end-all, like he's Count Dracula, Hong Kong and King Kong all mixed into one but he's not - he's a 40-year-old man with a pair of boxing gloves on."
Was Batman on hand? Well Tyson Fury didn't need him, outpointing Wladimir Klitschko to become the new heavyweight champion of the world.

"It gave me that extra push. I boxed in the amateurs with him and been around squads with him, and he's gone on to prove a lot of doubters wrong."
Fury has been called plenty of things but few have called him an inspiration. James DeGale sat and watched out in Canada before retaining his IBF super-middleweight title hours later.

December

"If the best business case is in the UK, for example Wembley Stadium in London, we will be there."
Team Klitschko went straight for the rematch clause in the contract and Bernd Boente went straight for the money-making stadium. 

"If Manny chooses someone else, I'll fight Brook. I know I can beat him and it should be at Wembley in late May."
Amir Khan says he is happy to fight Kell Brook but does the national stadium operate on a first come, first serve basis? Hopefully we will find out.

Afterwards I asked him to apologise for the kiss and he apologised, so I shook his hand. The beef is squashed.

"The IBF as far as I'm concerned are a duff organisation. They can give the belts to Fred Flintstone, Joe Bloggs, Superman, Batman - but everyone knows I'm No 1."
Tyson Fury was stripped of the IBF belt just days after Klitschko used the rematch clause, but remained unfazed in cartoon world.

"I don't know who hit who after the bell. It's a fight so you're going to keep on punching. If someone's punching you, you're going to punch back. That's why the referee's in there to split us up because we would fight for 36 minutes without a break."
Anthony Joshua beat Dillian Whyte in seven after a fractious, all-or-nothing fight. And the grudge rumbles on... 

"I'm not going to start running my mouth but it was a good shot. I'm not the biggest puncher in the world but this shows you that I can punch."
Billy Joe Saunders after knocking down and beating Andy Lee to become Britain's latest world champion.

"If I was to fight him, I'm sure there are people who would think that AJ would beat me and I love the thought of that - getting into a fight where people are not quite sure what happens. But if I tag Anthony Joshua, can he take my power?

David Haye talks up a heavyweight showdown with Anthony Joshua. Roll on 2016.