I downloaded it, I'm a boxing/MMA head so this is up my alley. But it's hella mid. There are better career modes in decades old boxing games.
That said, it's not bad, especially without many alternatives. It trys to be realistic, but that kinda just makes everything feel slowed down and forces you to rely on jabbing because power punches will leave you out of stamina by the fourth round. There's also no big parry system or clinching that I can find. I don't mind dumping parrying, because players would spam the hell out of parrying. But no clinch!?
Anyway, I cracked top-10 after a few days of playing, so here's some tips:
- Jab like crazy...it doesn't hurt stamina much and it will freeze most of the opponents' punching options.
- The one-two aka jab-straight, is great. Especially if you switch levels. So jab the body, straight to the head or vice versa. Then switch to jab-hook when they start guarding it.
- Even with punching attributes in the 90's my power punches are crazy slow and kill stamina. Save the power punches for when you hurt the opponent or just use them very rarely mixed into combos. I also use the power straight when opponents are trying to rush in.
- In career mode, they'll show you three potential fights. A lot of times the options suck and are ranked below you. Just hit square and choose your own opponent, then set the negotiations yourself.
- Use footwork to make punches more effective. If you're stepping to the right and throw a left hook, it'll have more power. If you step into your jab or straight, it seems to beat the guard more effectively.
- Finally, uppercuts are really effective inside especially if you throw a left-right uppercut back-to-back. BUT, if you miss, you'll get rocked with just about any counters.