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Boxing is the sport of the moment. This is probably partly due to the success of a certain Irishman called McGuighan. The consequence of this is that we are about to be swamped in boxing games as we were decathlon games last year.

Knockout is not only one of the first, it also sets a high standard that the others will have to fight to match.

The game centres around the boxing career of the Italian Stallion, he of the "joystick shuffle" fame. In the game you control the movement and punches of the Stallion as he punches his way through preliminary opponents before a crack at the champion, Baid Bully.

The two versions are essentially the same in the control of the boxer but totally different to play.

The C64 version, where a joystick is essential, is essentially a two player game with a practice mode against some rather easy computer opponents. Substitute the computer for a human opponent and you've definitely got a fight on your hands.

The Spectrum version provides a tougher computer opponent which is fortunate as there isn't a two player option. This was probably omitted for health reasons since two players battling for the keys would make the fight on-screen look like tea with the vicar.