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This game is no chump.

It's been a while since the boxing world has headlined any major sports column. With the emergence of MMA and UFC, it seems that boxing has become prehistoric in the minds of blood thirsty viewers. I for one completely disagree and feel that nothing will ever replace the sweet science as the premiere sport for watching two guys rough each other up. There is just more technicality and precision involved which I appreciate more so than two guys trying to tear each other a new one. As for a comparison, I could say that MMA is to football as boxing is to baseball. Both will have their audience, but it's clearly obvious that one takes greater skill and has more factors to consider than the other, which in turn will delight a casual crowd on one end, and bore them on the other.

It is my hope that Fight Night Champion from EA Sports is just the smelling salts boxing needs to regain everyone's attention to a sport that hasn't had a major bout talked about in the Heavyweight Division since Roy Jones Jr failed to succeed at that level. Sure fighters like Money Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have made some headway lately, but the sport hasn't had that big pay per view draw in a few years. What Fight Night Champion can do is remind the general public just how wonderful the sport of boxing has been, is, and can still be. So it the "original words by Mills Lane...." Let's get it on!

We'll begin with the heart of the game, the controls. While those of you who refuse to join the 21st century will be happy to know that buttons are back for those who chose to use them, I think if you give the newly refined Full Spectrum Controls a shot, you will not be going back...especially when you found out you just got whooped by someone who has mastered these controls. Not only is each flick of the right stick mapped to a particular punch, but maneuvering, dodging, weaving, and even blocking are all made more accessible using this feature, so much so that the developers implemented a counter punch during blocking technique that will finally give gamers to play a little defense this time around. Gone as well are the ridiculous haymakers and have been replaced by heavy punch modifiers that will make more impact on your typical punches, but never to the fact of throwing a crazy show recklessly. Your success with punches is all physics based dependent on where you are when you punch, how flush the shot is, how you set up the punch, and how planted you are. This is all good stuff and now results in more surprising flash knockdowns and KOs if you miss and get caught off guard. Stamina is also taken in effect here, as sure you can still throw 400 punches for the first couple rounds, but if you don't land solidly or miss a lot, expect to be completely winded by the 5th and ready to fall. Toss in a very intelligent A.I. that will take advantage of your mishaps and learn your tendencies... so mix it up buddy, or you'll be looking at the lights very soon.

Fight Night Champion looks stunning with new lighting, animations, and body motion effects, and bloody and gruesome cuts that not only look sick, but will continue to bleed and bloody up the ring and clothes. Heck, even your hair will become messy and sweaty as a fight continues on. Nothing is more satisfying than destroying something beautiful. It is impressive is that there are no canned KO's this time around, each knock down will fall feverishly to the ground and in the direction the punch sends them. Sure the stand up counts are repetitive, but I have sure seen some crazy into the ropes KO's that made me wince when unleashed upon.

The rest of the game is the same old song and dance, yet deeper and more refined. Your Legacy mode allows you to use a created boxer or choose a real life boxer and have them rise through the ranks from 50 to champ and onward to become the Greatest of All Time. Along the way you have to train, promote, and build your boxer's rep to earn that shining spot. This mode hasn't changed a whole lot, but you can become crucially damaged if you continue not to protect yourself over the course of your career. Online has returned with a fully fledged leaderboard, champion belt holder for each weight class, and the ability to even bring your Legacy created boxer online to not only box with, but share as well. This creation/sharing feature thanks to EA's website and/or camera option allows for many boxers who are not licensed or retired to be created and shared, or even fictional fighters like Rocky and even Marilyn Manson are at your disposal thanks to fans out there that have generated their likeness for download. There are even online gyms to help make your creations better, and tons of unlockables either through winning or buying micro transactions.

All in all, Fight Night Champion is the real deal, like Holyfield. The game looks the part, sounds the part, and certainly plays the part. Topped off with a wealth of options that will keep you playing for hours on end, and an addictive online mode, Fight Night is just what the game's subtitle suggest...it's a Champion.