11 years ago, boxing fans were treated to the latest instalment of the EA Fight Night series when Fight Night Champion was released. However, this would prove to be the last boxing video game of the series but now Steel City Interactive are in the process of developing a new boxing video game named eSports Boxing Club.
In November 2020, eSports Boxing Club joined Twitter to welcome fans and deliver more updates on the release of a new next-gen boxing game. Shortly after this, a trailer was released, leaving fans very excited as it seemed the hole in the market for a boxing game had been filled.
Since November 2020, multiple fighters have been confirmed for the game including a mixture of current boxers and legends of the sport, allowing you to create dream fights. Yesterday, it was announced that WBO welterweight champion Terence Crawford had been added to the game as the 100th fighter on the roster, as he joins the likes of Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez, Tyson Fury, Muhammad Ali and many more as playable characters in this game.
The game features a career mode. The career allows you to customise a boxer's career. From adjusting their physical appearance to changing the whole team behind him, with the game having an extensive list of trainers and cutmen. ESports Boxing Club will feature a deep character experience with many different fighter attributes. Ranging from punch power to discipline, eSports Boxing Club will also feature a ground-breaking trait system that’s never been used in boxing. In eSports Boxing Club, you will rise through the Amateur system, going through the professional ranks to win the coveted Lonsdale Belt, then going onto Continental and World titles featuring officially licensed governing bodies.
It is confirmed that their seven championship titles, with the focal point being the 'Green and Gold' WBC belt. It is worth noting too that the IBF and the prestigious BBBofC Lonsdale Belt will also be featured in the game. A full team make up the commentary team as Paul Dempsey from BT Sports, Johnny Nelson from Sky Sports, and Todd Grisham from DAZN have been confirmed as the voices in the game.
ESports Boxing Club also confirmed that a key point they worked on is the footwork of the boxer as the developers released a statement saying: "In ESBC, you will rise through the Amateur system, going through the professional ranks to win the coveted Lonsdale Belt, then going onto Continental and World titles featuring officially licensed governing bodies."
The excitement is certainly high for the release of a new boxing game, however, fans are growing frustrated as they have yet to have a release date confirmed. In contrast to this, people are keen to allow Steel City Interactive to take as much time as they need to ensure that the game is released without any issues. The 11-year wait is almost over for a boxing video game, and from what we've seen so far, boxing fans are in for a treat.