Sports have provided the basis for some of the most memorable video games around, and boxing has definitely contributed to the popular form of entertainment.
From the earliest days of consoles to the latest in stunning realism, boxing has remained a constant among a growing field of sports games.
DAZN takes a look at some of the best boxing video games to have ever been released.
Mike Tyson's Punch Out!! (1987)
The true "OG" of console boxing games, Punch Out!! took a gamble when it attached its burgeoning brand to a young boxer named Mike Tyson. The Tyson name helped draw attention to the game as it moved from arcade cabinets to NES cartridges in 1987, but the addictive gameplay and challenging opponents made this one a must-have for gamers regardless of their affinity for the sport.
From Glass Joe all the way up to Iron Mike himself, memorable opponents made the game an instant classic.
Fight Night Champion (2011)
What makes boxing so compelling is the narratives that surround big fights and popular fighters, and this entry from EA Sports manages to perfectly capture the drama of the sport while surrounding it with breathtaking visuals.
Considered by many to be the best boxing game ever, Fight Night Champion was the first EA Sports game to earn a Mature rating from the ESRB, and that's due to its gritty story-telling that doesn't hold back on how brutal the sport can be at times.
The inclusion of legendary real-life fighters adds to the game's lore — who doesn't want to pit prime Mike Tyson against prime Muhammad Ali?
Wii Sports (2006)
Not strictly a boxing game, Wii Sports was a revelation in 2006 when the Wii seemingly took over the world of gaming.
The goofy graphics didn't detract from the groundbreaking gameplay that made people actually get up and move. The boxing portion of the game was addictively playable, especially against a friend or family member.
Just be sure to hold on to the controller, though.
Knockout Kings 2001 (2000)
Another EA Sports entry in this list, and a spiritual predecessor to the Fight Night Series.
This is a much more straightforward game in terms of storyline — as in there really isn't much of one. What the game does have is a huge roster of real-life boxers and commentators, sticking true to the EA method of recreating live sports broadcasts as much as possible.
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing (1999)
Featuring more of an arcade style of gameplay, Ready 2 Rumble feels more like an NBA Jam or NFL Blitz than a true boxing simulator, and that's OK. With over-the-top characters and equally flamboyant action, this game serves to attract a wider base of players than just sports or boxing enthusiasts.