British boxing fans can look forward to a prosperous new year for their sport, with a number of mouthwatering match-ups to come.

Some of our biggest stars are homing in on career-defining fights while the small-hall heroes also promise plenty of fireworks.

PA Sport looks at the fights the British fans want most for 2006 - and the true likelihood of them ever happening:

JOE CALZAGHE v JEFF LACY:

Many people, not least Lacy's promoter Gary Shaw, believed the world's leading super-middleweights would never meet in the ring after their projected November 5 date fell through.

But frantic negotiations secured a March 4 contest in Manchester whose magnitude is so great it will take place in the early hours to accommodate American television.

Calzaghe may have started favourite in November but his low-key defence against Kenyan Evans Ashira, coupled with Lacy's marking-time blow-out of top contender Scott Pemberton, now shifts the momentum firmly in the Floridian's favour.

Big fight chances: *****

Likely result: Lacy pts

RICKY HATTON v FLOYD MAYWEATHER:

Hatton hit the big-time with his win over Kostya Tszyu in June but attracting the audaciously-talented Mayweather to Manchester will not prove so easy.

Flirting with a move up to welterweight to take on Zab Judah, Mayweather is notoriously difficult to pin down but represents the ultimate unification challenge for Hatton.

The Manchester man is almost certain to meet former Mayweather foe Arturo Gatti first early next year.

A massive meeting with Mayweather could then happen in the States - but the fans may have to wait a little while longer.

Big fight chances: **

Likely result: Mayweather pts

JOHNNY NELSON v ENZO MACCARINELLI:

The slippery Sheffield veteran and the ambitious Welsh puncher are set to meet on the Calzaghe-Lacy undercard in March to establish Britain's number one cruiserweight.

A fight which had been in the making for some time has taken on new impetus since Nelson's highly impressive win over Vincenzo Cantatore in Italy in November.

Meanwhile Maccarinelli battered through three early stoppage wins in 2005 - but is he experienced enough to cope with Nelson's skills?

Big fight chances: *****

Likely result: Nelson pts

DAVID HAYE v CARL THOMPSON II:

The much-maligned cruiserweight division could be the place to be in 2006, especially if these two characters agree to square off again.

Haye was handed his only professional defeat by the extraordinary Manchester veteran in 2004 but has since bounced back to grab the European title.

A likely revenge win over Thompson would help establish Haye's top-level credentials but the 41-year-old is never a pushover.

Politics are not an issue - both men say they want the fight, and they share the same promoter.

Big fight chances: ****

Likely result: Haye ko3

SCOTT HARRISON v ALEX ARTHUR:

Harrison is only delaying the inevitable by refusing to move up to super-featherweight where his fellow Scot and former gym-mate Arthur lurks.

There is no love lost between the two men's respective camps these days and a meeting between the two would match Scotland's biggest ever boxing contests.

But there is work to do first. Harrison has a tricky test against hard-hitting Joan Guzman while Arthur would relish the chance to avenge his shock loss to mouthy Mancunian Michael Gomez.

Big fight chances: *

Likely result: Arthur pts

MICHAEL HUNTER v ESHAM PICKERING II:

Hunter shaded what was arguably 2005's domestic fight of the year to become European, Commonwealth and British super-bantamweight champion.

While Hunter deserved his points win, Pickering did enough to ensure a rematch would be another fantastic draw in the north-east.

Both sides seem willing for it to happen and more of the same could only serve to enhance their respective careers irrespective of the result.

Big fight chances: ***

Likely result: Hunter pts

AMIR KHAN v KEVIN MITCHELL:

Let's face it, there is more chance of Naseem Hamed returning to wobble his way to the world super-middleweight title than these two hot prospects squaring off.

And a meeting at this stage of their unbeaten careers would be pointless as both seek to educate themselves towards title contention.

But it does not stop the British fans imagining, and no doubt arguing, over the result if the pair were to meet right now.

Big fight chances: nil

Likely result: Khan pts

AUDLEY HARRISON v DANNY WILLIAMS II:

Only joking.