For those who have longed for the opportunity to test their mettle in the ring against "Butterball", also known as Eric Esch, will get their chance in Fight Night Champion, the newest installment of the EA boxing franchise. He will be one of the 13 students of the sweet science who will be new to the Fight Night franchise. The following boxers will be entering into the ring, along with the Stars and Stripes trunks wearing winner of 95 fights, for the first time in Fight Night Champion.

  • "Butterbean" Eric Esch
  • Chad Dawson
  • Cristobal Arreola
  • Danny Jacobs
  • David Haye
  • Erislandy Lara
  • Fernando Vargas
  • James Leija
  • Kendall Holt
  • Kevin Kelley
  • Peter Manfredo Jr.
  • Tim Bradley
  • Zab Judah

With these 13 fighters, the total roster of Fight Night Champion will contain 54 licensed boxers for gamers to use in the game.

  • Anthony Mundine
  • Bernard Hopkins
  • Billy Dib
  • Carlos Monzon
  • Diego Corrales
  • Eddie Chambers
  • Emanuel Augustus
  • Evander Holyfield
  • George Foreman
  • Jake LaMotta
  • Jermain Taylor
  • Joe Calzaghe
  • Joe Frazier
  • Julio Cesar Chavez
  • Kelly Pavlik
  • Lennox Lewis
  • Manny Pacquiao
  • Marvin Hagler
  • Miguel Cotto
  • Mike Tyson
  • Muhammad Ali
  • Nonito Donaire
  • Oscar De La Hoya
  • Pernell Whitaker
  • Ricky Hatton
  • Robert Guerrero
  • Roberto Duran
  • Ronald Wright
  • Roy Jones Jr.
  • Sergio Mora
  • Shane Mosley
  • Sonny Liston
  • Sugar Ray Leonard
  • Sugar Ray Robinson
  • Thomas Hearns
  • Tommy Morrison
  • Victor Ortiz
  • Vinny Paz
  • Vitali Klitschko
  • Wladimir Klitschko
  • Yuriorkis Gamboa

Since EA revealed its plans to release the newest iteration of Fight Night, reports about the game's new animation system, punching system, and other features have some believing that this will be the best Fight Night game of them all. EA strives to break the mold and give fans of the franchise, as well as newcomers, an unparalleled sport game experience. This diverse and jam-packed roster will lend itself to a variety of styles and weight classes.

The inclusion of these franchise veterans and the addition of the newcomers will give players many options when experiencing the "true brutality of boxing." EA is positioning the game to be a contender. The roster seems very complete and will satisfy many virtual pugilists.  Along with the new features such as the  "Champion Mode" that promises to break the mold of what gamers expect from the single-player experience, gamers will be in for a very robust game. A lot of positives surround this game's release, with more to be revealed as the release window approaches.

Fight Night Champion will be ready to knock out the competition in March 1,2011 on the Xbox 360 and the PS3.

Source: Kotaku