Producer Brian Hayes discusses The Heavyweights in Fight Night Round 4
mbirkby
2009-03-31
At the moment the game team are in the busiest time of their development cycle. I know they are really excited about finishing up the game and getting it out to the ever growing number of fans that have been patiently waiting for the next installment of Fight Night.
We'll continue to share the screens here along with insights and news from the Fight Night team for all our sports fans to check out. So without further ado, here's the recap of the heavyweight lineup with one more heavyweight fighter to be revealed in the upcoming weeks!
Muhammad Ali
What am I going to say that hasn’t already been said countless times by countless people more qualified than me in countless ways? Muhammad Ali is a legend. He was on the cover of a DC comic boxing Superman. Superman! And given what Ali was able to accomplish in the ring, I might put money on him being able to psyche out Kal-El at the press conference, getting him to fight his fight and shaking up the world once again. Ali brought boxing to another level with his speed and grace. The heavyweight division didn’t know how to handle a guy like him. Heavyweights didn’t move that way. Heavyweights didn’t punch that fast. Heavyweights didn’t talk that much. Ali broke the mold and his list of accomplishments puts him up there for serious consideration as the greatest boxer of all time.
Eddie Chambers
At 33-1 with 18KO, “Fast” Eddie Chambers is one of today’s top American heavyweight contenders. Just over six feet tall and weighing about 220lbs, he’s no giant, especially these days. That being the case, he’s known for using fast hands and feet to compete against bigger, stronger opponents. A win in his upcoming March bout against the heavy-hitting Sam Peter could do a lot for the little known Philly-based Chambers who has the skills to befuddle a less technical and less agile opponent.
George Foreman
Big George has evolved into one of the most likable and affable personalities in sports today, but in his prime, he was one of the most frightening specimens in heavyweight history. Fairly big for his time with a menacingly calm demeanor and brutal knockout power in both hands. He destroyed Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, two guys who gave Muhammad Ali fits. Which led to many people heavily favoring Foreman in the now legendary “Rumble In The Jungle,” and anticipating a similar end for Ali. The result is history and George may have come up short, but it is only legendary fighters that make for such legendary fights
Joe Frazier
Full disclosure, “Smokin’” Joe Frazier is my favorite heavyweight of all time. He epitomizes heart, toughness and determination. When you combine that with great head movement, a pathological body attack and a crushing left hook, you end up with one of the baddest men to ever wear the heavyweight strap. This man took a unanimous decision from Ali in the “Fight of the Century,” putting him on the canvas with his patented hook in the 15th round. The two met twice more, and their third fight, “The Thrilla in Manila” is one of the most awesome spectacles in boxing history (in my humble opinion). People say Muhammad Ali is the greatest of all time and we are all free to debate that until we are blue in the face. But there is no Muhammad Ali without Joe Frazier, or vice versa, and there is no debating that.
Lennox Lewis
Here is a guy that was under-appreciated in his heyday because of how well he fought to his strengths. Keeping shorter, smaller opponents outside and not letting them work if they got close. He's an Olympic Gold Medallist, an undisputed Heavyweight Champion and one of the most skillful big men ever seen in the sport. His combination of power, speed, size and technical ability would make problems for just about anybody. Lewis defeated every man he ever faced, avenging his only two defeats with stoppage victories. Lewis had an explosive right hand that spelled doom for many opponents, as it did for Hasim Rahman when Lewis regained the Heavyweight title 2001.
James Toney
James “Lights Out” Toney is the epitome of an old-school fighter. Having 82 fights in the modern era is almost unheard of. He’s the kind of guy that has forgotten more about boxing than many fighters will ever learn during his years fighting from Middleweight to Heavyweight. Toney is living proof that skills can conquer just about any opponent. One of the most gifted counter-punchers and one of the most relaxed fighters inside the ropes; attributes which have allowed him to compete at the highest level without having the highest level of conditioning. Sorry James!
Mike Tyson
“Iron” Mike Tyson, aka “Kid Dynamite” took the Heavyweight division by storm in the 80’s using his uncanny combination of speed and power. The young Mike Tyson was an incredible boxer who displayed amazing head movement, footwork and combination punching. Watching old training videos of him on youtube is amazing. I shudder to think what it was like for opponents to see this man in his prime. The youngest heavyweight champion in history, as well as one of the most recognizable sports figures and most dangerous video game bosses of all time. Mike is also a true boxing historian and a tremendous fight fan.
