Good idea, but crashed and burned.
The game comes out, (and thank God I decided to rent this first), I rent it once I got off of work think I'm in for loads of fun. The game gets going and it's cool at first, but one thing after another brings the game down.
Here's number 1: Square and X are the only punch buttons. I let this slide at first, but it gets more irritating know things are the only buttons you need for dodging, parrying, etc. Button mashing gets old really quick.
Number 2: The incredibly cheap AI. OK, by some trial and error there's almost no simple way of winning. I played on medium first to jump into it with a little challenge. This ninja guy Steve is the worst case of cheap AI, but that's a story for another time. You constantly have to time your button presses, but half the time it doesn't work very well in your favor. Most of the time you will receive a really nasty flurry for your trouble. I then decided to put the game lever on Easy which didn't make much of a difference. So, moving on.
Number 3: Automatic Sudden Death?! I didn't pay attention to this at first. I though I was just getting my butt handed to me and I stopped and realized, "I knocked him down twice!" Come to find out that the 3rd round is an automatic Sudden Death. So, if you were giving your opponent the business like Clubber Lang Vs Rocky, when the 3rd round comes the AI turns into the winning underdog and knocks you out and the fight is over. You can't imagine how many times I cussed out the game. Fair, or no?
Number 4: Lack of gaming modes. Aside from unlocking other boxers, there's not much you can really do. They don't have many different ways to play and Online really doesn't make it all that interesting either.
In the end, I all I can give this game good points for is idea. The rest of the game lacked so I say this to you, EA Sports. Close, but no cigar.