The Champ

About

The Champ is a turn based boxing game from 1989 that pits you against increasingly tough opponents in a series of one on one brawls. Each match plays out in a simple side scrolling arena where you juggle timing and endurance. Land jabs and hooks by tapping buttons while avoiding incoming punches that force you to dodge or take damage. Your stamina bar depletes with every move so pacing yourself is key. The goal is clear: outlast and outbox your way to the top of the rankings. One standout detail is the inclusion of Gonna Fly Now from the Rocky movies. The track appears in Amiga and C64 versions with composer Bill Conti credited in manuals. Community archives note this was likely a licensed addition given the formal attribution. The game split development between Swiss publisher Linel and UK developers Pantheon Software. While the core mechanics remain straightforward the Rocky tie in adds a nostalgic flair. Spectrum and C64 versions trimmed some features but kept the punchy essence intact.