AI Judge Makes Historic Debut in Fury vs. Usyk Rematch – Is This the Future of Boxing?
2024-12-23
On December 21, 2024, boxing took a giant leap into the future with the debut of an AI judge in the heavyweight rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
While Usyk emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, all eyes were on the groundbreaking role played by the AI judge. But, let's be clear—this was no ordinary ringside observer. The introduction of AI to the boxing ring has everyone asking: Is this the future of scoring, or a step too far?
While Usyk emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, all eyes were on the groundbreaking role played by the AI judge. But, let's be clear—this was no ordinary ringside observer. The introduction of AI to the boxing ring has everyone asking: Is this the future of scoring, or a step too far?
How Does the AI Judge Work?
First things first, let’s get this straight: the AI judge wasn’t there to change the fight’s outcome. Its role was strictly experimental, designed to gather data for future use, but that didn’t stop it from drawing plenty of attention.
The AI was programmed to analyze every moment of the match, from the power of punches to the intricacies of defense, aggression, and impact. In short, it processed a wealth of data in real-time, like a hyper-intelligent, emotionless robot dissecting the fight with laser precision. Its score? A decisive 118-112 in favor of Usyk, slightly wider than the three human judges who each scored it 116-112.
The AI was programmed to analyze every moment of the match, from the power of punches to the intricacies of defense, aggression, and impact. In short, it processed a wealth of data in real-time, like a hyper-intelligent, emotionless robot dissecting the fight with laser precision. Its score? A decisive 118-112 in favor of Usyk, slightly wider than the three human judges who each scored it 116-112.
Here’s where the controversy starts. The AI judge’s scoring seemed more unforgiving compared to its human counterparts, which could stir some debate in boxing’s tight-knit community. Traditional judges, for all their flaws, rely on years of experience, the flow of the crowd, and their own instinct. The AI, however, doesn’t have that luxury. It’s all about the cold, hard data. While this theoretically removes human error and bias, there’s a risk it might overlook the nuances of a fighter’s strategy, something that’s tough to quantify with a series of ones and zeros.
The Reception: A Mixed Bag
Let’s face it, not everyone’s sold on the AI revolution in boxing. While some enthusiasts are eager to embrace the future, others, particularly fighters, are less than thrilled.
Tyson Fury, ever the outspoken figure, made his feelings crystal clear. After hearing about the AI’s verdict, Fury didn’t hold back: “F**k all computers. Keep the humans going. More jobs for humans, less jobs for computers,” he vented at the post-fight press conference. It’s a classic Fury move, but it also highlights a larger issue—the resistance to change, particularly when it feels like machines are stepping into human-dominated spaces.
Tyson Fury, ever the outspoken figure, made his feelings crystal clear. After hearing about the AI’s verdict, Fury didn’t hold back: “F**k all computers. Keep the humans going. More jobs for humans, less jobs for computers,” he vented at the post-fight press conference. It’s a classic Fury move, but it also highlights a larger issue—the resistance to change, particularly when it feels like machines are stepping into human-dominated spaces.
But not all reactions were negative. Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Chairman, Turki Alalshikh, who championed the AI project, touted the technology as a game-changer.
“AI can bring fairness and transparency to the ring,” he said, signaling his belief that this could be a new era for the sport. And even YouTuber KSI joked that AI would’ve given him the win against Tommy Fury if it had been around earlier. Clearly, there’s an appetite for change, but the question remains: will it be embraced by the fighters themselves?
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“AI can bring fairness and transparency to the ring,” he said, signaling his belief that this could be a new era for the sport. And even YouTuber KSI joked that AI would’ve given him the win against Tommy Fury if it had been around earlier. Clearly, there’s an appetite for change, but the question remains: will it be embraced by the fighters themselves?
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What Does This Mean for the Future of Boxing?
Let’s cut to the chase: is this technology going to revolutionize boxing, or is it just a gimmick? Right now, it’s too early to say. There’s no doubt that AI could improve the consistency and transparency of scoring, especially in high-stakes fights where every round matters. But boxing is a visceral, human sport.
It’s about emotions, raw grit, and the crowd’s energy. Can an algorithm really capture that? Can it account for the “intangibles” that make a fight truly great, or does it just reduce the sport to numbers and statistics?
It’s about emotions, raw grit, and the crowd’s energy. Can an algorithm really capture that? Can it account for the “intangibles” that make a fight truly great, or does it just reduce the sport to numbers and statistics?
One thing is for sure: AI in boxing is here to stay, but whether it becomes a permanent fixture or fades into the background is still up for debate. As long as humans are involved, boxing will retain its heart and soul—but technology could play an increasingly important role in how we judge the action inside the ring.
In the end, the first AI judge in Fury vs. Usyk may have been a historic moment, but the real question is whether boxing is ready to fully embrace it. Fans, fighters, and commentators will need to grapple with this new era—one where machines might just have as much say as the men in the seats.