Featherweight champion Scott Harrison carries the hopes of Scotland as he aims to build on a promising career and gain recognition across the world. He shrugged off the bitter disappointment of losing his WBO belt to win it back in emphatic fashion in 2003.
And Harrison has shown he can mix it with some of the division's big names in front of his adoring Glasgow fans.
But the spotlight will not fall on him alone.
Craig Docherty showed heart to retain his Commonwealth super-featherweight title against Abdul Malik Jabir and could be set for bigger things if he can refine his all-action style.
 | BIG FIGHTS TO HOPE FOR: Harrison v Barrera (Mex) Arthur v Gomez (Eng) Docherty v Arthur |
And 2004 will be a big year for Edinburgh fighter Alex Arthur, who lost his British super-featherweight crown when given a battering by Manchester's Michael Gomez in October. Arthur, who blamed illness for his defeat, had looked a class act in previous bouts and will continue working with top trainer Freddie Roach in an attempt to regain his crown.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Kevin Anderson from Buckhaven is shaping up to be an exceptional welterweight prospect and many expect big things from him in future years.
King of the ring: Harrison showed great strength of character to win a rematch with Manuel Medina after the wily Mexican had stripped him of his WBO belt.
And now his camp hope to build his US profile so the 26-year-old can test himself against the best in the business.
Promoter Frank Warren would like to pit Harrison against Marco Antonio Barrera or Johnny Tapia, although a huge purse would be required to tempt any of boxing's "A-list" to Glasgow.
But with Harrison expecting to reach his peak over the next two or three years, 2004 promises to be a defining year for the hard-punching Scot with big-time aspirations.
 Arthur has much to prove |
One to watch: Arthur wants to regain his British title in 2004 and also has an eye on a world title shot. Arthur, poised to have surgery on the troublesome cyst affecting his right knee, aims to have a warm-up fight in March before returning to the United States to team up with coach Roach for a month.
The Edinburgh fighter then hopes to enlist trainer Dean Powell, who is based in the UK, and will look after Arthur when the in-demand Roach is unavailable.
Arthur is keen to have another go at Gomez and there is also the possibility of an all-Scottish bout with Docherty.
Fading star: Glasgow's Willie Limond was well-beaten by Arthur in July and the injury-plagued 24-year-old will have to improve massively if he is to get back on track.
MMIX
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