Earnmoney33's Blog
My first suggestion is that every defensive style should not look the same. That means every fighter should not have the same type of head movement (LEAN) nor should it suggest that a complete miss is necessary for countering when leaning (I DON’T LIKE PERFECT BLOCK). I also think movement around the ring should be linked to these styles because it is an ESSENTIAL part of the DNA of each style and signature. These styles shouldn’t just be designated; they should be mastered throughout a legacy. Assigning them just seems too plain.
I like how Fight Night Champion lets you build every punch throughout your career so why not utilize that with defense. Sparring and fighting in a given style should give you XP points that can be assigned to that given style. The number of points allocated would strictly be based upon performance in that style. The number of styles that you choose to train and fight in will be up to you, but there are things to think about when choosing what style to train in and when. The more styles you choose to train in the more versatile your fighter can be, but that will reduce the chance of him mastering any of the styles he trains in. This would make legacy progression more interesting because would not be limited to one defensive style, but you would have to spend adequate time in that other style to use it efficiently. I also think fighting southpaws should pose different challenges to fighters and should include different stances. I didn’t cover this much but I do think this is very important to the realism in the game.
Allowing your fighter the choice to adjust his defensive style during their career would be a step in the REALISM direction. If you’ve trained in two styles during your career, you will be able to use two styles during fights (perhaps giving corner-men the ability to recommend switching styles before the next round and leaving it up to you, the gamer, to choose to do so). Now I think EA should avoid making this a total plunder by only allowing fighters to train in three styles before a fight. As the fights become more important I think it would be smart for fighters to focus on one maybe two styles. A perfect example of this is Ali. During portions of the fight he will use speed and quickness performing PULL COUNTERS and other evasive maneuvers, but he also mixes in a high guard defense (rope-a-dope) when it is strategically advantageous. Not every fighter uses multiple defensive during the course of fight or career, but the option should be there if you are talented enough to earn enough XP points (Ex. you are not going to see George Foreman using multiple defensive styles). Allowing fighters to switch styles between fights would increase strategy in training and in fights.
As you gain experience in each style, the posture and positioning of the hands and arms should change. The more you fight in a given style, your fighter will practice better defense and be harder to mount offense against. The transition between offense and defense will be become more fluid as you gain XP points, therefore opening more counter opportunities. The question is will you still have the reflexes to capitalize on your newfound experience. Well I think that should depend on your performance.
Another caveat that needs to be included in this game are defensive signatures for each style. What we have right now in front of us is a game where if you choose a defensive style you are stuck looking like other fighters using that style. Roy Jones and Ali rarely got hit when they were younger and used a rope-a-doping style when they progressed in age, but they looked completely different when using they’re defense. I would strongly advocate for including mannerisms that should be designated to each fighter. My biggest gripe is the fighters they included on the roster all have the ability to use the lean modifier to create a complete miss. I don’t think these fighters should have the ability to lean completely out of the way of punches unless it is a part of their signature package or base defensive style. No, Sonny Liston shouldn’t slip, slide, and pull back from punches. Not only would this add more depth, but it would give a more accurate portrayal of each boxer.
Defensive Styles
Although I might mention the potential of each defense, the base won’t have all those attributes without the ratings and/or signature. I will give a brief description of what I think they should include for defensive styles. I will also signatures corresponding with each style thereafter. I will describe how I think each style would work, but I also think the ratings in athleticism and skills would have large part in shaping the fighter.
Philly Shell
I think that different types of lean modifiers should correspond with different types of defenses. For instance, the philly shell defense should employ a shoulder roll lean that involves timing shots not for a complete miss, but a deflection using either the shoulder or power hand. A good representation of this defense was a prime James Toney. Even in his defeat to Roy Jones you can see him constantly slipping and avoiding power shots that finished Jones’ opponents. Fighters using this defense would be hard to knockout but they would have difficulty blocking punches without the lean. There would also be more punches that would slip through the guard but the force of those punches would be blunted. A mid level block strength potential and high level stamina potential would go with this defensive style. Those who don’t maximize attributes of this style will suffer bad beatings. Against Southpaws the fighters will use more of a standard block style because they would be open to the straight left if they stayed in the shell.
Standard Guard
The next defensive style I want to highlight would be the standard guard style. The style doesn’t employ a traditional lean that is plainly visible. Subtle leans to the left and right makes it hard for an opposing fighter to penetrate the defense. Winky Wright does a great job of utilizing this style of defense. When fighting Trinidad, Mosley, and Vargas he was rarely hit because he used his gloves and slight leans to deflect punches. Ali also used this defense with Foreman in Zaire. A big key to this defense is glove choice. Grant gloves are the best gloves because of the wide build of the glove. I will go into how your wardrobe (gloves, trunks, and shoes) can realistically help or hinder your performance later in this write up. While having a high block strength and stamina potential, it would be difficult to counter using this defensive style because it does not cause a lot of angles using the lean modifier.
Peek-A-Boo
The peek-a-boo stance utilized by fighters such as Floyd Patterson and Mike Tyson depended on lots of head movement while holding up the defensive guard. They key to this defensive style is turning defense into offense. Both Patterson and Tyson used their bob and weave style to gain tremendous leverage on their punches. Countering out of this defensive posture can be great when making opponents miss. Knockouts and knockdowns are produced because of power generated and frequent countering opportunities. A high block strength can handle initial onslaughts well, but with a low blocking stamina blocking combinations over the course of a fight would not be wise. Fighters using this style would want to use Reyes or Everlast gloves. These punchers gloves will help these fighters inflict damage and end fights early. I know I mentioned Tyson and Patterson, but the base defense would look more like Trinidad. Therefore counters would still be effective but you wouldn’t make opponent miss as much.
Cross-Armed
The cross armed defense is one utilized by fighters who want to get inside and cause punishment. These fighters will have to able to take a couple blows because they will be exposed to punch combinations that are more than two. After getting inside, this style will give a fighter the ability to throw short crisp punches that will not need room to generate power. The cross armed defense will also allow fighters to smother other fighters when fighting on the inside. Leaning will also have a greater affect when fighting on the inside. High block stamina will allow these fighters to defend over the course of a fight, but they won’t have high block strength.
Athletic
Lastly, we have a style that doesn’t heavily rely on blocking at all. The block style would resemble the standard guard, but being able to avoid punches using the lean modifier would be key attribute to this style. This style is utilized by athletes who have great reflexes and speed. Countering is effective yet only yields rewards if the boxer has the power to make others pay. Roy Jones, Pernell Whitaker, and Muhammad Ali are fighters that were great at not getting hit. While the latter two used the skills to strictly outbox competition, Jones used his athleticism to shock fighters with power. Using this style has a high risk/reward and can’t be used efficiently for a whole career because after your reflexes deteriorate your fighter’s weaknesses will be exposed. Boxers will be able to use ALL of their athletic talents to fight. Being unorthodox will be an advantage only if the reflexes are present. Fighters using this style should develop other styles during their career can be prolonged. A medium block strength and a Low/medium block stamina means that you don’t want your fighter to get hit. Your talent is in avoiding punches all together, but you must have the timing execute it.
Defensive Signature Packages
Aside from the base package that should be available in the game there should be signature styles available after earning XP points. Each defensive would have signature packages that are variations of the style with perks and mannerisms. These signatures would be distinct and have additional features added to the base to make it more effective. I also thought that these signatures would add additional ratings to your block strength, stamina and lean attributes. Although these signatures are great they would have their drawbacks.
Philly Shell
Agile (Mayweather)
This package is similar to the athletic base, but now it has been coupled with the philly shell style. Utilizing this style means you not only would deflect punches, but you would be able to avoid more punches all together because of your reflexes. Counter hooks and pull counters (countering off the jab) would be your specialty. Your movement in the ring would be that of a fleet footed fighter but when you are flat footed you maintain the positive attributes of the philly shell. The one drawback to this style would be that punching in bunches while blocking and avoiding the oncoming would not be in your best interest, because of the stamina taken to implement this defense.
Crafty (James Toney)
I wish he was still in the game… This style is great for not only deflecting punches but smothering inside attacks while getting your offense off. While this style technical it can pull you into wars because of your prowess on the inside and that means the potential of getting hit more than you should. A plodding movement style also leaves you open to volume attacks from fleet footed fighters, but adequate timing would offset this. This signature does not change drastically when fighting southpaws (Jirov vs. Toney).
Smooth (Jersey Joe Walcott)
Jersey Joe was known for his crafty footwork and counterpunching ability that was uncanny. This defensive signature left more openings then the traditional philly shell but the greater risk yields greater rewards. Countering and throwing punches in bunches out of a blocking or defensive position is the specialty of this style. The swift footwork would also be to your advantage because it would allow to slide in all directions while being prepared to go on offense. Like I briefly mentioned earlier, you would be open to getting more often (Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano capitalized on this).
Standard Guard
High Block (Winky Wright)
This signature can block anything! You could literally stand there and block anything coming your way for any amount of time without any punches getting through. The drawback to this style is the transition from defense to offense is slow leaving you open during exchanges. The opportunity to stun your opponent will decrease because your opponent will be able anticipate your attack. A great jab and cross will work wonders while using this signature.
Boxer Puncher (Roberto Duran)
This style is still effective defensively but it utilizes more foot movement. You can also transition from defense to offense quicker which gives more ability to trade with your opponent. That means more power punches coming from this style. The drawback is that your block strength and stamina won’t be as high. Your overall fatigue can cause your fighters’ transition from defense to offense will become slower leaving you open to more punches.
Peek-A-Boo
Bob and Weave (Tyson)
This style is meant for punchers who want to make opponents pay for reaching with their punches. Lunging or reaching with punches would fall right into the hands of this signature. Bobbing, weaving, and leaning would be the primary specialty of this defense. Countering out of this defense would be highly effective and plentiful off of the bobbing, weaving and leaning. Also inside fighting would be easier because of the attribute of throwing short accurate punches out of the block. The drawback to this signature is the stamina used to implement this would be massive so unless you have great stamina or knockout power this one isn’t for you.
Bob and Box (Floyd Patterson)
Floyd Patterson had a more measured style but it still had the peek-a-boo style. The leans, bobs, and weaves aren’t as exaggerated so you won’t be able to completely avoid punches as much as the Bob and Weave signature. The key out attribute of this signature would be being able to quickly leap with punches from any defensive position. This would be great for closing distances quickly without leaving yourself open. Again a high stamina rating would be necessary to implement this defensive style.
Cross Armed
Up and Down (Frazier)
This defensive signature out of the cross arm style utilizes a lot of head movement, but not in a traditional sense. This type of head movement moves in a more up and down motion vs. side to side. This unorthodox lean that goes with this signature would make your fighter adept at avoiding punches. The flaw that would go with this signature is that the block strength is low. That means hard jabs and crosses would have a greater chance of penetrating your guard.
Mongoose (Archie Moore)
This crossed armed signature was known as the armadillo curtain. Countering with power punches is this signature’s recipe. It is also unique because it utilizes a philly shell from the outside and a crossed armed defense on the inside. This defense would also have a medium to high block strength and stamina. The only real drawback to this signature is that you will have a more difficult time dealing with fleet-footed fighters. While you practice good footwork, it isn’t quick by any means. The angles you create could give more power on your shots and give more knockouts (It worked for Archie).
Athletic
Superman (Roy Jones)
Moving in and out with great foot speed coupled with deft head movement; you can be unhittable while creating odd punching angles that would surprise your opponent. Fighting on the inside would not be ideal but the ability to move your head would give you the uncanny ability of avoiding punches at any distance. The unorthodox angles created will give your punches added pop. This signature almost has no weaknesses, but there is one catch. This signature has the lowest block stamina of any signature. This means you will have to try mix in minimal blocking into this defense. If utilized correctly you can be unhittable. Using this signature during a legacy is only as affective as you make it. The more punishment you take the less affective it becomes (in-fight or legacy). You determine the longevity of the signature.
Butterfly (Muhammad Ali)
Uncanny foot speed allows you to glide across the ring with ease and equally impressive head movement means you are a defensive genius. A unique trait is that your punches will have increased effectiveness while on the move. The fighter’s overall stamina suffers from using this signature, which might leave you idle as you come down the stretch of fights. Thanks to a high block stamina rating you will be able to deflect blows for longer periods of time. Just like Superman signature, your defense will depend on how good you are at not getting hit as you career progresses.
Pep (Willie Pep/ Pernell Whitaker)
This is the best pure defense in the game. This is highly effective for boxers who want to wear opponents out, while out-boxing them. You are defensively great at everything without much consequence to your stamina. Countering using jabs and crosses are effective because of added quickness when punching from the block or lean. This would take the most time and effort to unlock. The only drawback to this signature is that you would have to have abnormal power to stun opponents because quick punches without the added mustard are recommended to stay out of harms way.
Conclusion
Well this was just Part I of some of my thoughts on what I would want to see in a boxing game. By no means do I think it is complete or perfect so feel free to add your opinions and feedback. Hopefully the discussion will help developers deliver what we want in the next Fight Night. The two videos below are two favorites of mine Styles make fights!
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