When we reflect on any given year, we are always able to conjure up great moments created in the sports arena. 

Unfortunately, sport also has the ability to frustrate, anger and disappoint. 

So on that basis – and as we embark on a New Year – Sport360° has drawn up a list of what we want to see happen across a number of sports over the next 12 months.

BOXING

Pacquiao v Mayweather

Yes, they should have both fought in 2009 but if it’s going to happen, it’ll be this year. Manny needs a big fight to re-affirm his legendary status while Mayweather, regardless of what he says, will always have the Pacquiao question hanging over him.

MOTORSPORT

The F1 season to go down to the final race

Sebastian Vettel won 68% of the races last season and turned F1 into a procession. With Abu Dhabi staging the last race of the year and double points on offer, let’s hope for a repeat of 2012’s incident-packed GP in the UAE capital.

REGIONAL

A UAE team have a strong run in the Asian Champions League

Continental success has eluded the UAE’s finest over recent seasons but with the Arabian Gulf League gradually growing in quality it should be time for one of either Al Ain, Al Ahli or Bani Yas (should they come through a qualifier) to have a deep run in the competition. After December’s draw, Al Ain looks the most likely this year.

GOLF

Woods and McIlroy to be fighting it out down the back nine of a major

It would be fantastic if the two most high-profile golfers in the world had their ‘Duel in the Sun’ moment. We’re pretty sure Nike would be happy, at least!

TENNIS

Someone other than the ‘Big Four’ winning a grand slam

Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Murray have won 34 of the last 35 grand slams. Much like F1, men’s tennis can be bit of a formality. The likes of David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet and Tomas Berdych have the games to win a grand slam, it’s just about finding that consistency.

FOOTBALL

Brazil v Argentina in the World Cup final

We’re not fussy, as there could be plenty of great teams strutting their stuff in Brazil this summer, but a final featuring the hosts against their sworn rivals, at the Maracana, with clubmates Neymar and Lionel Messi facing off would be legendary.

CRICKET

Longer Test series

As India’s recent tour of South Africa showed, when the world’s best play it needs at least three matches, if possible five, to be a true test of their strengths. These truncated two-Test series, which are becoming more common, leave fans, and players, wanting more.

RUGBY

Argentina to win a match in the Rugby Championship

They’ve come close but after six games the Pumas are still winless. To be truly accepted by the elite they need to get that one win on the board.

NBA

Adam Silver to shake up the issues with the NBA Draft

The draft lottery has descended the NBA into near-farce. In a strong year, up to 10 teams will actively lose on purpose to gain a high draft spot, reducing the overall quality and credibility of the league and the sport. The solution is unclear but Silver (above, left), who takes over from David Stern as Commissioner on February 1, is known as a lateral thinker with ingenious ideas.

GENERAL

Authorities to start taking match fixing seriously

Thankfully the likes of snooker, who convicted Stephen Lee (above) last year, cricket and tennis are waking up to the fact that fixing is causing long-term damage to their respective sports. Certain football authorities however don’t quite know how to tackle corruption. They talk the talk but you also get the nagging sense they just hope the problem will go away.