Some of last season's shining stars

As we head for a summer break, it seems the ideal opportunity to reflect on another extremely interesting boxing season.

We were, of course, hugely immersed in the Ricky Hatton events; firstly his mega challenge to Floyd Mayweather which ended in gallant failure, and then his Homecoming, as an incredible 58,000 people flocked to the City of Manchester Stadium to see his tussle with Juan Lazcano. It was a highly successful return for Hatton.

Meanwhile, the Pretty Boy walked away before his re-match with Oscar De La Hoya. Mayweather's legacy is secure forever, and if he doesn't return, we will always remember his pure genius in the ring. Yet as the recent pound-for-pound debate revealed, boxing remains in a very healthy state.

Manny Pacquiao goes from strength to strength. The four-weight world champion could meet knockout king Edwin Valero in the Autumn and then may climb to Light-Welterweight for a clash with our Hitman.

Joe Calzaghe enjoyed that magnificent win over Mikkel Kessler, and the important decision over Bernard Hopkins. Roy Jones in September looks to be Joe's swansong. Meanwhile De La Hoya's glittering career is set to end in December - perhaps against the winner of the fascinating Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito match.

Impact

This year Kelly Pavlik has established himself as the middleweight star; and we witnessed the third cracker between those rivals Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez. Rafael's brother Juan Manuel also continues to be a potent world force - and tackles Joel Casamayor in September.

Young talent worldwide is really beginning to come through in Juan Manuel Lopez, Andre Berto and Jorge Linares.

Calzaghe and Hatton apart, British impact on the world stage has been mixed. There have been ups and downs as Clinton Woods, Gavin Rees and Junior Witter all lost their titles but Alex Arthur gained one and David Haye made the world sit up and take note.

The Hayemaker took out Jean-Marc Mormeck for the cruiserweight crowns on foreign soil in France, and then blitzed Enzo Maccarinelli back here in emphatic fashion.

Amir Khan continues to pack out the arenas. The critics are out, but the facts are there. Khan is sharp, skilful and very talented. He hasn't lost yet.

Carl Froch has had a frustrating year. I had a long chat with him in Wigan last Friday, and he craves that world chance. It may, or may not, come against Jermain Taylor. Edison Miranda was also being mentioned. Whoever Carl does meet will have to be in very good shape. Personally, I believe Froch will become a world super-middleweight champion - and soon.

In European action, we have seen Rendall Munroe jump up in levels to make his name. The Leicester southpaw has had a superb year. Jon Thaxton was outclassed in his match-up with Yuri Romanov, but is set to get another European crack in the autumn. Colin Lynes might have to wait for his next opportunity after coming so close out in Italy.

Breakthrough

In Britain we have seen some barnstorming action. Intense, competitive, often gruelling matches such as haxton-Dave Stewart; Kevin Anderson-Francis Jones; Esham Pickering's fights with Sean Hughes and Matthew Marsh; even the little super-flyweights, Andy Bell and Chris Edwards.

Kevin Mitchell's brutal battle with Carl Johanneson and Dean Francis's thrilling come-from behind knockout win over Tony Oakey were pick of the bunch. Two of our more gifted operators in Jamie Moore and Darren Barker are winning well, and will be looking for a real breakthrough season next time.

Michael Jennings, Bradley Pryce and Ian Napa continue to shine; we've seen a Ryan Rhodes fairytale as he regained the British light-middleweight belt a decade after he first held it. Meanwhile David Barnes re-ignited his career. The former British welterweight champion now holds the Lonsdale belt at light-welterweight.

We've seen a wave of young British and Commonwealth champions emerge in Kell Brook (although let's hope Kevin McIntyre gets another welterweight crack after his inspired return to form), Craig Watson, Paul Appleby, Paul Truscott, Matthew Marsh, and Andy Bell. Others who might move into the domestic title picture are Mark Moran, Akaash Bhatia and Martin Lindsay.

Plus, we have a record eight British boxers going for gold in Beijing. Led by the superb Frankie Gavin, we have a serious chance of winning medals - which would in turn mean rich rewards for these young men.

Joe Murray is aiming to be one of those, and for inspiration, he need look no further than his older brother John who captured the British lightweight title on Friday Fight Night last week. Many had picked Lee Meager to be too rounded, but Murray was sensational - producing a career-best performance when it mattered. Jim Watt and I were seriously impressed. John Murray is definitely one to watch closely next season.

Worldwide the big boys have disappointed. The worst night this year was the much anticipated New York unification between Wladimir Klitschko and Sultan Ibragimov. What a bore! Klitschko prevailed - as he did at the weekend in another largely forgettable display over American southpaw Tony Thompson.

No wonder Haye's getting excited about moving up! Maybe he is the man to breathe fire and life back into this once so glamorous division.

At a lower level, we were all delighted by the heavyweight knockout tournament Prizefighter, when those eight characters gave us a night of thrills and spills. Martin Rogan was the last man standing and the evening a huge success.

Weaknesses

So our final Friday Fight Night sees Danny Williams and John McDermott meet for the Lonsdale belt. It raises many questions - none more important than which Danny and which John will turn up? Both have ability; both seem to have mental and physical weaknesses.

It's so much about their state of mind and belief on the night. Williams is far more experienced and has fought at a much higher level. He has blown hot and cold on so many occasions.

The night when he first won this title against Mark Potter was just extraordinary. His right shoulder totally gone, he effectively won with one arm; and nothing he ever does will surely beat the knockout of the once great Mike Tyson. But Williams has given us quite terrible performances too. Flat, lethargic and overweight, he just hasn't turned up. He's also 35, so his best days could be behind him.

McDermott is seven years younger and fresher, but knows this could be his last chance. He was blown away by Matt Skelton and so needs to succeed here. A good win over Pele Reid earned him this crack. He needs to get settled early and use his quick hands. He must be switched on. I have seen worrying signs of McDermott on the day of a fight. He has some skills, but these will be of no use if he doesn't truly believe he'll beat Williams.

If Danny Williams is in good shape - and the word is that he is - I think he'll retain his title impressively. But nothing is for certain when the heavyweights are around! Expect excellent action anyway, then have a wonderful summer - and we will be back with a boxing bang in September.

Finally a massive good luck to those 'great eight' out in Beijing.