More than announcing the latest iteration of the Fight Night series, what Filipino fight fans want to know is if Manny Pacquiao has finally arrived. IGN got the early scoop on the new game and that it will be called Fight Night Champion. Only two screenshots have been revealed and they both feature Pacquiao, further fueling the speculation.
Pacquiao has been featured in the past three Fight Night games, and was even one of the fighters used for the pre-release demo of Round 4. Despite the fatigue and annoying press releases, being a cover athlete is still a big deal (see all the hoopla for Madden), especially when there’s really only one major boxing title out there (sorry, Don King’s Prizefighter). And to be honest, there’s really not that many choices for worthy cover subjects in boxing that hasn’t already been done. One thing is for sure, though: if Floyd Mayweather gets the cover, there might be a ban of the game in the Philippines.
EA Sports claims this to be the best Fight Night yet, with a roster to 60 to 65 fighters, a revised punch control system, and that this isn’t an expansion pack despite not having the “Round 5” on the title. It’s no hyperbole to say that Pacquiao is the pride of the Philippines and every good news is heavily celebrated and every bad news is heavily scrutinized. If this happens, you can bet there will be a celebration, and maybe not as much pirating of the game (kidding).
