After 15 years of rumors, wishful thinking, and impatient boxing fans, Electronic Arts (EA) Sports is officially bringing its beloved Fight night video game franchise back from the dead.
EA opened a new social media account dedicated to the series on Tuesday and delivered an announcement that longtime fans have been waiting for.
“For everyone who stayed in our corner: Fight Night is coming back,” EA wrote along with a short teaser video.
The account biography was also updated with another message: “Back in the ring.”
That’s pretty much all EA is willing to share right now.
The company did not reveal the official title, release date, platforms, cover athlete or roster of the upcoming game. Still, the confirmation alone is a big deal considering the franchise has been gathering dust ever since Fight Night Champion released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in March 2011.
Fight Night Champion featured a cinematic story mode focusing on a fictional boxer Another bishopalong with a stacked list of legends that included Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.
Finally, boxing fans were given Indisputable help fill a huge void, but a return Fight night immediately gives EA a powerful and nostalgic competitor in the boxing video game market.
Now there are many questions about who will appear in the game. Boxing has no single league or players’ association, meaning EA must negotiate individual licensing deals with fighters, promoters and rights holders to build its roster.
The timing is certainly interesting. Saudi Arabia has become a financial powerhouse in boxing, and its sovereign wealth fund recently led a massive $55 billion purchase of EA. However, the company has not announced whether the new game is related to the Riyadh season, The Ring magazine or Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
For now, that’s all we know Fight night finally returns.
Enough in 15 years.
