Knockout Kings 2001 for the PlayStation 2 was a decent boxing game, but lacked the fancy footwork needed to recreate the excitement of a title fight.

But Electronic Arts' 2002 version proves long, hard days in the development gym can pay dividends when the time comes to punch your weight in the competitive videogames market.

The game features three modes of play - exhibition, career and tournament - and strikes a good balance between being an authentic boxing simulation and an arcade knockout.

It features 45 fighters from the lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions.

Twenty-one are masters of the "square circle" from the past and present, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Lennox Lewis and Oscar De La Hoya. The other 24 fighters are fictional boxers you can play as or against.

Another option is to create your own fighter in the game's 15-bout career mode. This involves everything from picking a hairstyle to deciding what strengths and weaknesses your boxer should have.

The controls are easy to learn, which is no bad thing when you're having to defend yourself against some pretty fearsome opponents.

The buttons on the face of the controller handle four basic punches - left jab, right cross, left hook and right hook - while the shoulder buttons control blocking and more advanced moves.

Pushing the left analogue stick all the way in any direction moves your fighter around the ring, while slight movements control the position of his upper body, allowing him to duck and throw punches to the body or bob and weave away from danger.

But this does not mean the game is easy. Opponents learn your habits as the rounds progress and focus on defensive weaknesses. Blocking their attacks takes practice and they are good at staying away from danger when you have managed to hurt them.

Also, like all good beat-'em-ups, players could find their arms aching the morning after a number of bouts - I did.

The graphics are stunning featuring incredibly detailed boxers, right down to the facial contortions when they are hit.

The game's default close-up camera view is good, although there are a number of other options, including a scary first-person perspective.

The sound is less good, featuring some over-the-top sound effects and a commentary from Larry Michael and Max Kellerman that quickly becomes repetitive.

Overall, this is a champion in the making. It looks good, plays well and offers a reasonable challenge for more than hardcore boxing fans. Rocky eat your heart out.

Price: £39.99
Contact: www.ea.com
Feel good factor: 8 out of 10