AI referee for boxing: artificial intelligence judges the fight between Usyk and Fury

The world of boxing has just witnessed a historic event – a fight between outstanding champions, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. The meeting of sports professionals not only attracted huge attention from fans, but also went down in history thanks to the use of artificial intelligence in judging. But is AI capable of integrating into traditional sports, and how will this affect the future of boxing?

Usyk and Fury: The fight that changed history

Oleksandr Usyk is one of the best boxers of our time, who has become invincible in the heavyweight division. Technique, endurance and the ability to build a strategy have repeatedly brought victories to the Ukrainian athlete. Tyson Fury is a British giant with an exceptional sense of distance and a unique style capable of overcoming any opponent. The confrontation between the legendary boxers became a real battle of techniques and characters. However, the special feature of this fight is not only the star names in the ring. The organizers for the first time involved artificial intelligence to evaluate the fight, which made this event unique in the history of boxing.

AI Judge: Operation Algorithm

Numerous controversies about referee errors and subjectivity led to the idea of involving artificial intelligence in the judging process. The technology, developed thanks to many years of research in the field of computer vision and machine learning, has become a groundbreaking step in boxing. The system is equipped with special cameras that record punches from different angles, assessing their strength, accuracy and effectiveness. The algorithms on which the AI works take into account:

The number of accurate punches;
The activity of boxers;
The effectiveness of defense;
Tactical advantage.

At the same time, artificial intelligence did not affect the official results of the fight, because ordinary judges also worked on it. AI acted as a fourth expert, adding objectivity to traditional judging.

Benefits and risks of AI judging

AI judging in boxing opens up new possibilities for more objective and accurate evaluation of fights. The use of such technologies helps to reduce the human factor and ensure a higher level of fairness in judging. Advantages of judging by artificial intelligence:

Objectivity. Artificial intelligence is not susceptible to emotions, fatigue or bias, providing a more accurate and impartial evaluation of the fight.
Accuracy and detail. AI is able to analyze each punch with great accuracy, taking into account its power, accuracy and effectiveness, avoiding errors in determining the result.
Transparency. Thanks to the use of algorithms and computer vision technology, every punch and action of athletes is recorded and evaluated in real time.
Reduction of disputes. The use of artificial intelligence for fight analysis can significantly reduce the number of controversial decisions, since the algorithm provides objective data for decision-making.
Increased efficiency. AI can quickly analyze a huge amount of data, speeding up the judging process and providing a more rapid response to changes during the fight.
Improved training process. AI-based solutions can be useful for coaches, helping them better understand an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses.

However, like any system, AI can fail or misinterpret a situation. In addition, AI refereeing can be difficult to understand, as boxing fans may see the use of AI as a violation of the spirit of sport.

Digitalization of Sports: Future Prospects

Boxing is not the first sport in which modern technologies change the rules of the game. It is worth remembering the VAR (video assistant referee) systems in football and Hawk-Eye for determining outs in tennis. Artificial intelligence as a referee in boxing matches is the next step in the digitalization of sports.

Integrating the latest technologies into traditional areas is indicative of the digital agency MyZi. Our team works to ensure that businesses can use the potential of digital innovations for development. A boxing competition clearly demonstrates the possibilities of technology even in the sports field.

What to expect in the future?

The success of the AI judging experiment could set a new standard for other sports. However, it is worth remembering that the use of artificial intelligence is a supplement, not a replacement for human work. Boxing will always remain a traditional sport, where character, strategy, and physical endurance play a decisive role. The fight between Usyk and Fury was not only a tough test for the fighters, but also a real test for artificial intelligence as part of the judging system. Only time will tell whether AI will be able to change the approach to judging and whether it will become an integral part of the sport. However, one thing is already clear – this fight has gone down in boxing history.