{"id":13471,"date":"2025-01-31T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/?p=13471"},"modified":"2025-01-18T10:15:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-18T10:15:37","slug":"ai-technology-reduce-controversial-decisions-boxing-january-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/ai-technology-reduce-controversial-decisions-boxing-january-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"AI-based\u00a0technology could reduce the number of controversial decisions in\u00a0boxing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Gorodenkoff \/ Shutterstock<\/a><\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\n Kamran Mahroof<\/a>, University of Bradford<\/a><\/em> and Saima Sammad<\/a>, University of Bradford<\/a><\/em><\/span>\n\n

Boxing, the \u201csweet science\u201d<\/a>, is a theatre of skill, power and drama that has captivated audiences for centuries. Yet, behind the allure of championship nights and historic rivalries lies a persistent shadow \u2013 controversial decisions<\/a> that spark cries of \u201crobbery\u201d.<\/p>\n\n

Boxing has had its fair share of controversial decisions which continue to spark debate among fans and experts alike. While technology in sports like football and cricket has supplemented objective rules, boxing\u2019s reliance on subjective judgement leaves it uniquely vulnerable to bias and error. Isn\u2019t it time the sport caught up?<\/p>\n\n

The answer may lie in artificial intelligence (AI)<\/a>. Imagine a world where contentious decisions and accusations of bias become a thing of the past. Could the technology offer boxing the fairness and transparency it desperately needs?<\/p>\n\n

Boxing\u2019s history is long and storied, tracing back to bare-knuckle fights and evolving into the regulated, global phenomenon it is today. But some things haven\u2019t changed. Chief among them is the subjective nature of judging<\/a>. Unlike football\u2019s offsides or cricket\u2019s LBW (leg before wicket) calls, boxing lacks hard and fast rules for scoring.<\/p>\n\n

Decisions depend on referees and judges interpreting abstract criteria like effective aggression, defence and clean punching. While these standards sound straightforward, their application often varies wildly, leading to unpredictable results.<\/p>\n\n

Take the infamous 2012 Olympics, which featured many scoring controversies<\/a> that led to demands for reform. More recently, during the Oleksandr Usyk v Daniel Dubois bout, the referee ruled that Dubois had delivered a low blow to Usyk<\/a>. This left fans divided, with some feeling it should have been a legal punch.<\/p>\n\n

It\u2019s one example of where a key decision has sparked widespread debate in the sport. But there are many others.<\/p>\n\n

Other sports have adopted innovative technology<\/a> in an attempt to reduce subjectivity: cricket uses ball tracking for precise decision making, football has VAR (video assistant referee) for disputed goals, and MMA (mixed martial arts) employs replays to confirm pivotal moments. But boxing remains stubbornly dependent on human eyes. Why? Because its unique pace and nuance present challenges that technology hasn\u2019t yet mastered.<\/p>\n\n

For fans, what they might regard as an unfair decision can be a bitter pill. For fighters, it\u2019s devastating \u2013 years of training undone by a controversial call. And for the sport as a whole, the disagreement over decisions can tarnish its credibility.<\/p>\n\n

Boxing is an industry worth billions. Sponsors, broadcasters and pay-per-view audiences demand a product they can trust. Controversies don\u2019t just upset fans, they jeopardise the sport\u2019s business model. To survive and thrive, boxing needs to evolve, and technology offers a way forward<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI\u2019s potential in boxing<\/h2>\n\n

What makes AI so promising is its ability to process complexities. Rather than replacing human judgement, AI can supplement it, bringing much needed consistency to a sport fraught with interpretation. Technology doesn\u2019t replace the human element, it supports it.<\/p>\n\n

So what\u2019s stopping boxing? Critics argue that tools like replay systems could disrupt the flow of a fight. But smart integration can avoid this. Imagine video reviews used sparingly, only for game-changing moments like knockdowns or disputed low blows.<\/p>\n\n

Here\u2019s how technology could reshape boxing. Sensors and AI could track punch accuracy, power and placement. This data would give judges a factual layer to complement their scoring. AI could also transform instant replays<\/a>. Key moments, like knockdowns or potential fouls, could be reviewed quickly without disrupting the fight\u2019s rhythm. <\/p>\n\n

Artificial intelligence could also assist scoring. Algorithms trained on historical data could suggest scores based on patterns and metrics, acting as a guide for judges. Finally, blockchain technology<\/a>, where a record of decisions is maintained across linked computers, could log and secure judges\u2019 scores, creating a transparent record for post-fight analysis.<\/p>\n\n

Progress and tradition<\/h2>\n\n

Boxing has always celebrated its traditions, and that\u2019s part of its charm. But clinging too tightly to the past risks alienating today\u2019s fans. Critics worry that too much technology might strip the sport of its human touch. But the goal isn\u2019t to replace tradition, it\u2019s to protect it by ensuring fairness.<\/p>\n\n

A well-judged fight honours the fighters\u2019 efforts and keeps fans engaged. Technology, applied wisely, can make that happen without losing the sport\u2019s soul. It\u2019s not about robots taking over \u2013 it\u2019s about giving humans better tools to make the right calls. <\/p>\n\n

Despite Tyson Fury\u2019s discontent with the \u201cexperimental AI scoring system\u201d<\/a> that concurred with the award of his recent title fight to his opponent Usyk, over time, it\u2019s possible that more consistent decision making by AI could build up trust in the technology.<\/p>\n\n

Boxing has always been about honour, grit and glory. But to maintain its place in the modern sports landscape, it might be time to embrace change. AI can help boxing\u2019s rich traditions remain, while bringing fairness to the forefront. With the right tools, boxing can reclaim its integrity, one fair decision at a time.\"The<\/p>\n\n

Kamran Mahroof<\/a>, Associate Professor, Supply Chain Analytics, University of Bradford<\/a><\/em> and Saima Sammad<\/a>, PhD Student, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies, University of Bradford<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n\n

This article is republished from The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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