The genre of boxing has been massive in the video gaming world for generations. From Punch-Out!!! On the NES to Knockout Kings on PlayStation, there has been some fantastic boxing games. However, none have been as good as the Fight Night series especially Fight Night Round 4 and fans are wanting more of the series on a modern console but will boxing fans get what they want?
Boxing games have been popular and the sport is still one of the most lucrative sports in the world so it would make sense that there was a premium title to go alongside such a popular sport. With the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua such big figures in popular culture people are wanting to, just like FIFA and Madden, control them or take on their idols.
With YouTubers also competing in the sport with the likes of KSI, Jake and Logan Paul all drawing in a much younger audiences, there would be a lot more younger gamers wanting to explore the world of boxing through any type of medium be it betting, streaming or playing the games. Since the first major fight between KSI and Joe Weller new customer betting offers in the UK have grown massively for people to get the best bets responsibly.
What is the latest boxing game?
The last boxing game to be released was that of Big Rumble Boxing: Creed Champions in 2021 on consoles. The game did not have the greatest of reviews and struggled to keep fans around to play the game extensively. It was a fun arcade style game but lacked the technical feel of a real premium game.
Other than Creed Champions there is not much in terms of handheld platform playing and most of the latest boxing games are specifically designed for VR headsets. Games such as BoxVR, Creed Rise to Glory, Boxing Apocalypse and Knockout League have all been released in the past four years on the PlayStation but are not the type of games the traditional Fight Night fans want.
Why has there not been a Fight Night?
It is more than likely not the case that people are not wanting to experience more boxing games because as you can see there is a large cry from the fans and there is certainly games being made in the VR style. However, EA have not made a Fight Night game since 2011 with Fight Night Champion and it could be that it will be the last in the Fight Night installment.
With EA putting much more of a focus on UFC than on boxing it can be hard to see why they would split their efforts and return to the series. Gamers have stated how impressive the UFC series is and do enjoy playing the series as their soul fighting game.
This was even backed up by an EA statement in 2021, saying that themselves do not want to stretch themselves too thin and producing two poor games, “We’re very excited about UFC 5 and… we want to eliminate the split focus that several members of our leadership team have had over the past while so we can solely focus on delivering migration and UFC 5 at high quality.”
EA are still working on UFC 5 now and they are expected to release it around May or June 2022 so that fans can experience the game on a whole new level with the next gen consoles. Unlike Creed Champions, UFC 4 still attracts players to explore the game and use its online features.
Playing as your favourite boxer
Up until now it has been difficult to play as your favourite boxer unless you still have you’re your Xbox 360 or PS3 still hooked up then you could create them in there. However, on UFC 4 people have been creating their own Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder.
Will a return happen for Fight Night?
Despite stating their focus was fully on UFC 5, it looks like with that near completion EA are actually looking to bring the franchise back. It is rumoured that it has been given the green light and will be produced under the codename “Moneyball”.
EA have not stated that they are fully going back to the franchise they have left dormant and refuse to comment on speculation. However, there is enough smoke around the situation that Fight Night is returning. Even boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed his desire to get involved with the project feeling that it is exactly what boxing fans need at the moment.
The focus is still very much on the release of UFC 5 but the Fight Night series could be very much alive.