Xbox Live Gold subscribers can now re-enact the recent Hatton versus Pacquiao fight from earlier this month with the Fight Night 4 demo on Xbox Live Marketplace. Take on the role of sacrificial lamb Ricky Hatton in the one-sided affair, or start your own virtual victory lap as Southpaw Manny Pacquiao. If you’re playing as Hatton, hopefully you can make it through more than two rounds and escape with all your higher brain functions intact. As Pacquiao, at least make it an interesting fight; try using only one type of punch or some similiar handicap. I’m not sure virtual Ricky Hatton is up to the challenge. It’s the same demo offered with pre-orders of the game, which will be released this June to the thunderous applause of fight fans.

This is one game that will have the staff at ESG frothing at the mouth in anticipation of launch day. Although Punch-Out!! is great fun and easily the best arcade boxing title of this console generation, it doesn’t match the depth and longevity of the Fight Night series. Fight Night 3 was also one of the best-looking titles in the early days of the 360, and I look forward to seeing what the game will look like in full 1080p. The series was originally developed by EA Chicago, which closed its doors after the release of Def Jam: Icon. I’m anxious to see the results of moving the development to experienced developer EA Canada. I have no doubt that the PS3 and 360 version will be solid titles, but I would like to see the current status on a Wii title. The controls for the Fignt Night series are unmatched, but a Fight Night Wii title with half-decent motion control would be a title worth picking up.