Here is how AI could change the way boxing matches are scored forever after the innovative technology was trialed during Tyson Fury’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk.
Last night saw the Gypsy King lose his rematch against Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 116-112 in Usyk’s favour.
However, the match also saw the implementation of an experimental AI judge which is favoured by Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment chairman.
The AI judge – which had no impact on the result of the fight and was used purely for research purposes – also awarded the bout in Usyk’s favour, giving a score of 118-112.
So how does AI in boxing work?
In the days leading up to the fight, Alalshikh shared a clip on social media explaining how a computer generated judge would score a match.
“I’m the first ever AI boxing judge and I’m here to bring fairness to the ring,” the voiceover in the clip said.
“I analyse ever round, every move and every decisive moment during the fight. Displaying real time tricks like aggression, landed punches, impact and defensive deployment.
“With this data I’m able to calculate a score and determine who should win the match.”
Ever wondered how AI could change the world of boxing? Meet the 4th Judge 🦾 An experimental AI scoring system debuting at Usyk2Fury on December 21 🔥 Let’s see how this experiment unfolds 🥊 pic.twitter.com/CQQJ88MJcd
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) December 19, 2024
Responses to the experimental technology online were largely positive, with one person responding that Alalshikh’s push for AI judges could ‘redefine the future of boxing’ while another added that it was a ‘historic achievement’.
KSI even weighed in on the topic, joking that a computer generated judge would’ve scored his October 2023 match against Tommy Fury differently.
“AI judge would have given me the win against Tommy Fury,” he wrote.
However, not everybody is impressed by the inclusion of AI in boxing, with Fury himself issuing an expletive filled response after hearing about how the technology scored his performance.
“F**k all computers. Keep the humans going. More jobs for humans, less jobs for computers,” he said in the post match press conference, before going on to bash electric cars as well for good measure.
However the AI judge shouldn’t feel too hurt by Fury’s harsh words, as the 36-year-old was also felt frustrated by how the three human judges scored the fight.
“The judges gave him a Christmas gift,” Fury said after the bout (via BBC). “I feel like I won both fights.
“I know I had to knock him out but it’s boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight.”
