By Alex Trickett

Hopkins will be looking to bow out on a high

"More of the same please."

That should be the message to America's promoters after some encouraging progress in 2004.

While their British counterparts struggled to make an impact, some genuinely-pulsating match-ups were made across the pond.

And there is every chance more will follow in 2005.

At the centre of much of the excitement is the great Bernard Hopkins, owner of the undisputed middleweight title and the biggest reputation in boxing.

Briton Howard Eastman heads the queue for a shot, but the line goes round the block and some of the alternatives are also mouth-watering and eminently possible.

Foremost among them are US light middleweight champion Ronald "Winky" Wright and Puerto Rican comeback kid Felix Trinidad, who may fight-off for the right to take on Hopkins.

BIG FIGHTS TO HOPE FOR: Wright v Trinidad Hopkins v Wright/Trinidad Toney v Byrd/Ruiz Mayweather v Tszyu Corrales v Juan Diaz

Stepping down a division, Cory Spinks reigns as king of the welterweights and looks short of real challengers.

But below him is the global melting pot that is the light welterweight division.

In the mix are Sharmba Mitchell and Floyd Mayweather (USA), with Kostya Tszyu (Australia), Vivian Harris (Guyana), Arturo Gatti (Canada), Miguel Angel Cotto (Puerto Rico), Ricky Hatton and Junior Witter (England) adding to the flavour.

Mayweather, in particular, will be hungry for success, having left behind his world titles at lightweight.

There are plenty of American "contenders" at heavyweight as well, but quality is lacking.

Established pros Chris Byrd (IBF) and John Ruiz (WBA) have yet to convince the public that they are champions in anything but name.

And there appears to be a shortage of young talent coming through to challenge them.

It may yet fall to "Lights Out" James Toney to shake the division out of its lethargy in 2005 - he at least can be relied on for excitement, big crowds and value for money.

Juan Diaz has plugged the gap left by Floyd Mayweather at lightweight and has caused a big stir.

At 21, he became the youngest world title holder by beating Mongolian WBA champion Lakva Sim by unanimous decision.