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Yet another boxing simulation which relies on a big name to help it sell. This time it's Barry McGuigan in Activisions corner and characteristically it is not merely a boxing match.

One or two players can enjoy the fun of rising from being a new professional, through contender, to a crack at the championship against Barry McGuigan himself (or at least his computer counterpart).

At the beginning of the game you can select your boxer determining caucasian or negroid appearance, colour of kit, style of boxing and, of course, his name.

Then you can opt for being a new pro or a contender, the result of which determines where you lie in the league. You can then choose to fight one of the two boxers above you or the one below you in rank. This choice determines how difficult the fight will be for you.

On making your decision you are shown the vital statistics of the selected boxer and given the chance to change your mind if you wish.

Assuming that the challenge is accepted you must then train your boxer by devoting training time in various areas to build up strength and stamina according to how many weeks remain before the fight.

Now the fight commences.

The view is a lateral view of the match as in Alligata's Knockoui. The movements of the fighters are controlled by the computer according to the style of boxing chosen but the punches are selected by the player.

For this you need a joystick and there are two basic types of punches available; inside and outside. The difference being that inside means fighting at close quarters where hooks, crosses 'and uppercuts are available, and outside means arms length fighting using jabs and crosses.

Each boxer has a stamina value, which reduces as blows are exchanged, a _ miss taking more from this tally than a hit and the more explosive inside punches being the most tiring. If this tally falls below 10 a knock down is imminent, possibly even a knockout.

At the end of each round a chart is displayed which shows the condition of the two boxers. This gives endurance, stamina, strength and agility as a percentage of full fitness. From this you can gauge your strategy for the next round, attack or defence.

Each bout has ten rounds and a points decision will be given if a knockout does not occur within this time.

The two player game varies from the single player game because you cannot define your boxer. I nstead each player selects a fighter from the ranking league table and a two joystick battle royal begins.

As a simulation of boxing this is about as close as you'll get to the real thing and let's face it, it's about as close as any of us want to be.

E.D.