MANCHESTER'S Ricky Hatton is sure to gain his fair share of the boxing limelight in 2007, but he isn't the only exciting fighter in action. Check out a weight-by-weight look at the state of boxing at the start of 2007, including all the prospective big match-ups.

STRAWWEIGHT:

Ancient Indonesian Muhammad Rachman has dominated since the great Ricardo Lopez retired, reigning unbeaten for eight years and boasting a colossal 61-5-5 record. Puerto Rico's WBO champion Ivan Calderon would provide his sternest test yet.

LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT:

Mexican Omar Nino Romero made his mark by beating Hawaiian Brian Viloria before they fought a disputed draw in a rematch. A third meeting would sort out their beef once and for all - with classy Panamanian Robert Vazquez awaiting the winner.

FLYWEIGHT:

Vic Darchinyan is a huge puncher who sizzled through three title defences in 2006. Venezuelan Lorenzo Parra is a brilliant technician. Both men are unbeaten in 27 professional fights and would provide a mouth-watering unification showdown.

SUPER-FLYWEIGHT:

Japan's Nobuo Nashiro claimed the WBA title in only his eighth professional fight and has defended it once. In a division lacking star class, Nashiro has been ordered to defend against Mexican Martin Castillo - the man from whom he claimed the title last year.

BANTAMWEIGHT:

Rafael Marquez will hope to continue his emergence into a true global talent - and could do worse than sign for a showdown with Mexican rival and former champion Jhonny Gonzalez, who is set to drop back down to the bantamweight limit.

SUPER-BANTAMWEIGHT:

Israel Vazquez won a thriller against Gonzalez to retain his WBC crown. But the Mexican's reign would be seriously tested either by WBA champion Daniel Ponce de Leon or Canada's supremely talented IBF champion Steve Molitor.

FEATHERWEIGHT:

Indonesian Chris John holds pole position by virtue of a highly dubious points win over Juan Manuel Marquez on home soil. A rematch would be a fine way to start the year. All-action WBC champion Injin Chi waits in the wings for the winner.

SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT:

Arguably the most exciting division of all, with Manny Pacquiao on a high following two consecutive knockout wins over Erik Morales, and angling for a major rematch with Marco Antonio Barrera. Meanwhile Venezuelan punching sensation Edwin Valero is ready for anybody.

LIGHTWEIGHT:

Shorn of Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, the lightweight division looks set to take a back-seat this year, although a match-up between Corrales conqueror Joel Casamayor and promising WBA champion Juan Diaz would be worth watching.

LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT:

Ricky Hatton has returned to the division he once dominated after beating Kostya Tszyu, and ought to have few problems disposing of Juan Urango this month. Next on the agenda is a summer showdown with the rising Castillo.

WELTERWEIGHT:

With Floyd Mayweather set to move up for his dream fight against Oscar De La Hoya, bragging rights are set to transfer to the winner of Miguel Cotto's scheduled clash with the perennially under-rated Antonio Margarito.

LIGHT-MIDDLEWEIGHT:

Forget the claims of endlessly regurgitated, so-called stars like Shane Mosley or Fernando Vargas. This division is all about Mayweather versus De La Hoya in 2007 - almost certain to be the biggest grossing non-heavyweight fight in boxing history.

MIDDLEWEIGHT:

Restless champion Jermain Taylor continues to contemplate his future, and may yet opt to move up and challenge Joe Calzaghe at the 12-stone limit. Failing that, Winky Wright would quite like a rematch following their controversial draw in June.

SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT:

Unbeaten champions Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler ought to square off in an obvious all-European unification match, but politics make the prospect highly unlikely. Instead Calzaghe could finally iron out a deal to meet the returning Bernard Hopkins.

LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT:

Having returned from short-lived retirement, Hopkins has regained the division's top ranking but may decide his future lies at heavyweight. If so, Clinton Woods, Glen Johnson, Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones may resume their tiresome round-robin combat.

CRUISERWEIGHT:

Jamaican O'Neil Bell still reigns supreme - but just to make sure he has been told to defend against Jean-Marc Mormeck - the same man he battered to claim the title last year. Britons Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye hope to move into contention.

HEAVYWEIGHT:

Bernard Hopkins fancies his chances against Oleg Maskaev, and James Toney continues his interminable quest for top billing. For now that still belongs to Wladimir Klitschko, and a clash of the giants with Nikolai Valuev could be fun.

Which fights are you looking out for in 2007? Have your say.

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