Boxing News Boxing News
Showtime Networks Inc. has announced that it has licensed Destination Software, Inc. to create video games based on the popular Showtime Championship Boxing series. The games will be released in late Fall 2007 on both the Nintendo DSâ„¢ and Wiiâ„¢ platforms.
“The Showtime Championship Boxing series, as the flagship sports programming on the network, has delivered the best boxing on television for more than 20 years,” said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager, Showtime Sports. “We are excited to bring the excitement of our Showtime Championship Boxing franchise to the video game marketplace.”
“We’re thrilled to bring this title out on such interactive platforms as the Wiiâ„¢ and DSâ„¢ as this will be a very exciting title for physical gaming,” said Steve Newton, DSI’s Executive Vice President. “Engaging video games that get the player out of their seat are the future of gaming, and we’re proud to work with a license that so embodies that concept.”
The video games, entitled “Showtime Championship Boxing,” will take full advantage of both platforms’ interactive features. The boxers will be controlled through a touch-pad and stylus in the Nintendo DSâ„¢ game, while the users’ body movements will control the boxers in the Nintendo Wiiâ„¢ version. Both games will feature 14 boxers fighting it out in four different fight locations—Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Boxers can block, dodge, punch, and throw combos in three different modes. The Title Belt fight mode will take the player through multiple rounds and opponents in a quest to become champion of the world. Players can also take advantage of wireless capabilities when fighting head-to-head with a friend.
Showtime Championship Boxing, now in its 21st year, has set itself apart by televising the most competitive, compelling and significant match-ups in the sport. The series was born in 1986 when “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler defeated John “The Beast” Mugabi with a spectacular and unforgettable 11th-round knockout in Las Vegas. Since that time, the network has aired some of the most historic fights in boxing including both Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson mega-events.
