How the drama unfolds: Harry Mullan passes judgement on a world title six-pack

Ronald Wright

v Ensley Bingham

At stake: Wright's WBO light- middleweight title.

Records: Wright 34-1-0, Bingham 17-6-0.

Background: A surprise late opportunity for the Manchester fighter Bingham, who has hit the best form of his low-key career at 33. The American southpaw, based in France since 1993, is competent rather than sensational and won the WBO title this year after failing in an attempt at the more prestigious WBA version in 1994.

Prediction: Bingham is a terrific left-hooker and, inspired by his home crowd, could shock the smooth-boxing champion with a late-rounds stoppage.

Naseem Hamed

v Remigio Molina

At stake: Hamed's WBO featherweight title.

Records: Hamed 23-0, Molina 27-0.

Background: Hamed survived two testing defences this year, coming off the floor to stop Daniel Alicea (two rounds) and grinding down the accomplished Mexican Manuel Medina in 11 rounds. Medina gave him his toughest test, so he is entitled to lower his sights against the unbeaten but untested Argentine.

Prediction: Hamed needs a quick, impressive win to restore his image, which was somewhat dented by his struggle with Medina. Molina looks ideal for the role and should not last past the fifth.

Steve Collins

v Nigel Benn

At stake: Collins' WBO super-middleweight title.

Records: Collins 33-3-0, Benn 42-4-1.

Background: A rematch, Collins having won the first in July when Benn retired with an ankle injury. Collins, a tough and durable Dubliner, is a late developer who is just hitting his peak at 32 while Benn, approaching 33, is on the slide after a hugely rewarding and entertaining career. If he loses this, it's all over for the Dark Destroyer.

Prediction: Collins was on top in their first encounter and had taken Benn's best punches unflinchingly. He can stop Benn again, in about eight exciting rounds.

Henry Akinwande

v Alexander Zolkin

At stake: Akinwande's WBO heavyweight title.

Records: Akinwande 30-0-1, Zolkin 26-2-0.

Background: The London-born Akinwande, a spindly 6ft 7in, makes the first defence of the title he won with an impressive third-round knockout of Jeremy Williams, a protege of Tyson's former manager, Bill Cayton. Akinwande is now based in America, and needs a couple of good wins there to capture the imagination. Zolkin, a 32-year-old Russian southpaw, is durable but unexciting and has no big wins.

Prediction: Zolkin will be puzzled by Akinwande's style and long reach, losing clearly on points.

Michael Moorer

v Frans Botha

At stake: Moorer's IBF heavyweight title.

Records: Moorer 37-1-0, Botha 36-0-0.

Background: Moorer once held the "real" world title, until he was knocked out by George Foreman. On form he is a quality performer - he beat Holyfield to become champion - but his temperament is suspect. Botha, a podgy and unathletic-looking South African, won this title last year, but forfeited it after failing a post-fight drugs test.

Prediction: With a huge payday against Tyson at risk, Moorer can be relied on to retain his title, but the tough challenger could take him the full distance.

Mike Tyson

v Evander Holyfield

At stake: Tyson's WBA heavyweight title.

Records: Tyson: 45-1-0, Holyfield 31-3-0.

Background: This is Tyson's first defence of the WBA title, against the former world champion who has not boxed for a year. Tyson also held the WBC version (which he won from Frank Bruno in March), but relinquished it rather than defend against Lennox Lewis.

Prediction: Holyfield is just a shadow of the man who once beat Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes and George Foreman, and the revitalised Tyson looks sure to sweep him aside inside five rounds.