Canelo Alvarez punishes James Kirkland. Photo by Ed Mulholland / Getty Images

The past year was packed with drama in and out of the ring, including some memorable fights, big surprises and important milestones.

Who and what stood out the most?

Find out when THE RING reveals its annual year-end awards for 2015 in January. The categories: Fighter, Fight, Knockout, Trainer, Upset, Event, Comeback, Round, Prospect and Most Inspirational.

Leading up to the announcement, we will give you the five finalists in one category each day. Day 6: Round of the Year

The finalists (in chronological order) are.

Amir Imam vs. Fidel Maldonado Jr. – Round 3

Dropped hard in the second, Maldonado Jr. comes out blazing in the third and floors his then unbeaten opponent with a straight left hand. Imam remains composed and returns fire with two heavy right hand knockdowns of his own. Imam eventually prevails in the fifth.

Canelo Alvarez vs. James Kirkland – Round 1

Kirkland bosses the first half of a wildly entertaining session before being badly hurt and dropped by a big right hand. Alvarez goes on to prevail via third-round knockout in a terrific punch-up at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

Edwin Rodriguez vs. Michael Seals – Round 1

In a thrilling light heavyweight bout, Rodriguez floors Seals in the opening seconds but is paid back in full by two booming right hand knockdowns. Rodriguez regroups to halt Seals in three absorbing and brutal rounds.

Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas – Round 4

After losing the first three rounds, Miura bravely continues to trade with Vargas on the inside. His determination is rewarded when he scores a brutal left hand knockdown in the closing seconds of the fourth. Vargas finally wins the war in round nine.

James DeGale vs. Lucian Bute – Round 12

Two determined super middleweight left handers trade hell for leather in a brilliant closing session. A capacity crowd at the Videotron Arena in Quebec are on their feet as the final bell sounds. British star DeGale claimed a unanimous decision.

Tomorrow: Knockout of the Year finalists.

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