The Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk rematch is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated boxing events of the year. To ensure fairness and transparency, Saudi Arabia’s sports authority, led by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, has introduced a groundbreaking innovation: the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to aid in judging the fight.
The rematch, scheduled for December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, promises to be a historic event as it will incorporate AI technology for the first time in boxing. This move aims to address long-standing criticisms of flawed judging and scoring in the sport, which have often sparked controversy and accusations of bias. While the AI’s role won’t directly impact the official result of this fight, its implementation marks a significant step toward reducing human error and bias in boxing.
How Will AI Be Used?
According to officials, the AI system will run alongside human judges during the Fury-Usyk rematch. The purpose is to test its capabilities in a live, high-stakes environment without influencing the outcome. By monitoring and analyzing the fight, the AI will provide insights on punch accuracy, strike quality, and other vital metrics. This system, developed with technology from companies like Jabbr, has been tested in amateur boxing and is capable of assessing over 50 parameters, a feat beyond human capability.
Radio Rahim, a former boxer and sports broadcaster, highlighted the differences between this AI system and traditional methods like CompuBox. While CompuBox relies heavily on human assistance to track punches, the new AI-powered system, called DeepStrike, operates independently, offering greater precision and detail. The AI can track both the quantity and quality of punches, giving a more comprehensive view of the fight.
Expert Opinions
The announcement has sparked a mix of excitement and skepticism among the boxing community. Former UFC champion Michael Bisping expressed his curiosity about the technology on social media but initially misunderstood its role. After being informed that the AI would not decide the fight but merely complement human judges, Bisping admitted that the approach made sense, calling it a promising idea.
Boxing analyst Dan Canobbio shared a similar sentiment, acknowledging the potential benefits of AI in reducing bias and errors while cautioning against expecting a flawless system. Both Bisping and Canobbio agree that while the technology is promising, its effectiveness can only be judged in real-world scenarios.
Public Reactions and Polls
Fans have also been vocal about the introduction of AI into boxing. Many view it as a step toward fairness and objectivity, while others worry about potential technical errors or over-reliance on machines. Recent polls have reflected this divide, with some fans fully supporting the move, others preferring human judges, and some suggesting AI should only be used as a supplementary tool.
Future Implications for Boxing
The use of AI in the Fury-Usyk rematch is a significant experiment that could set the stage for its broader adoption in boxing and other combat sports. If successful, this technology could revolutionize the sport by offering a more reliable and unbiased way to score fights. However, as with any innovation, its true value will depend on its ability to perform under the pressure of live events and complex scenarios.
For now, the world will be watching closely as this new chapter in boxing unfolds on December 21. The introduction of AI promises to bring both opportunities and challenges, leaving fans and experts eager to see how it will shape the future of the sport.