In the rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on Dec. 21, 2024, a globally notable innovation was introduced: an AI-powered judge alongside the traditional panel of human judges.
The development, announced by Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and recently named one of Sports Illustrated’s most influential people in boxing for 2024, was part of an experiment to explore the potential role of artificial intelligence in boxing scoring.
The Role of the AI Judge
This was the first time an artificial intelligence system was used to score a major boxing event. The introduction of the AI-powered judge, as Al-Sheikh described it, was meant to be an experiment and would not affect the official outcome of the fight.
The decision came after years of controversy over inconsistent judging in boxing, a sport that often faces scrutiny for controversial decisions. The AI judge was designed to be “free from bias and human error,” providing an objective alternative to traditional human scorers.
In a post on X, Al-Sheikh emphasized that the AI scoring system would not influence the official results but instead serve as a tool to monitor the fight alongside the usual panel of three judges.
While the AI’s input was non-binding, its debut during this high-profile bout—dubbed the “biggest fight of the century”—drew attention from fans and analysts alike.
Scoring Breakdown: Human Judges vs. AI
The heavyweight rematch, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was for the WBC, WBA, and WBO heavyweight titles, and the fight’s outcome was closely contested.
Usyk retained his title with a unanimous decision, with human judges scoring the bout 116-112 in favor of the Ukrainian. However, the AI judge gave Usyk an even more dominant victory, scoring it 118-112 in his favor.
While the human judges awarded Fury just four rounds—the first, second, fifth, and twelfth—the AI judge credited Usyk’s relentless pace and superior work, giving him the edge in nearly every round.
The AI’s more pronounced support of Usyk’s stamina and consistency in the fight reflects a growing belief that technology could bring more precision and objectivity to scoring, potentially alleviating some of the issues that have plagued boxing’s scoring system.
A Divisive Innovation
The inclusion of the AI judge has certainly divided opinion in the boxing community. On one hand, some fans have welcomed the idea, viewing it as a necessary step in modernizing the sport.
The increasing use of AI in various industries—ranging from healthcare to finance—has made its presence felt in boxing, a sport traditionally resistant to change. Proponents argue that AI could eliminate human biases and offer a more consistent method for evaluating fights.
On the other hand, critics have raised concerns about the potential for over-reliance on technology in a sport that has long valued human judgment. While AI might be able to analyze patterns and output objective scores, the interpretation element of boxing might be overlooked.
The Future of AI in Boxing
This experiment in Riyadh could mark the beginning of a new era in combat sports. As AI technology continues to evolve, it is possible that more boxing events will incorporate artificial intelligence to complement traditional judging.
The system could be refined over time, becoming more adept at understanding the nuances of a fight and offering scoring that aligns with human judgment, potentially acting as a secondary or advisory judge rather than replacing human scorers entirely.
For now, the AI judge’s impact on this rematch is a glimpse into the future of sports technology. While it remains to be seen whether this innovation will become a permanent fixture in boxing, its debut has sparked important conversations about the role of technology in sports decision-making.
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