The boxing ring becomes an AI laboratory. Tyson Fury and Usyk 2 face an emotionless referee!

The highly anticipated rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on December 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is set to make history. For the first time ever, an AI referee will assist in scoring a professional boxing match. The groundbreaking announcement was made by Turki Alalshikh, the head of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, who has been instrumental in organizing some of the biggest boxing events in recent years.

A World-First in Boxing: AI Steps into the Ring

Alalshikh shared the news on his X/Twitter account, writing:
“For the first time in history, an AI referee will score a boxing match. No biases, no human errors. This historic experiment will offer an extraordinary experience, even though the AI’s scoring will not count toward the official result.”

In addition to the usual three human judges scoring the fight, the AI referee will provide its independent evaluation of the bout. While its decision won’t impact the official scorecards, its inclusion adds a layer of intrigue and could spark debates about the future role of technology in boxing.

The Controversial Road to Fury vs. Usyk 2

This rematch comes after their first meeting in May, which ended in a split decision victory for Usyk after 12 grueling rounds. Two judges scored the fight in favor of the Ukrainian, while one controversially gave the nod to Fury—a result that raised eyebrows across the boxing world.

The most contentious moment of that fight occurred in the ninth round when Usyk unleashed a devastating flurry of punches, forcing Fury into the ropes. Many fans and analysts believed the referee should have stepped in and awarded Usyk a technical knockout, but the bout continued.

Adding to the controversy, one judge’s decision to score the fight for Fury was met with widespread criticism. Experts argued that Usyk dominated most of the rounds and deserved a unanimous decision victory. The backlash only intensified calls for greater fairness and transparency in boxing judging, paving the way for this historic experiment with AI.

Will AI revolutionize boxing or spark new debates?

The introduction of AI as a scoring referee in Fury vs. Usyk 2 has already divided opinions. Proponents argue that AI, free from human biases and subjective judgment, could revolutionize boxing by ensuring more accurate and fair scoring. Unlike human judges, AI can analyze each punch, block, and movement with precision, offering a detailed and impartial assessment of the fight.

However, critics are skeptical. They question whether AI can truly understand the nuances of boxing, such as ring control, aggression, and the intangibles that often sway human judges. Furthermore, the fact that the AI’s score won’t officially count could limit its immediate impact, reducing it to a sideshow rather than a game-changer.

One thing is certain: the AI referee’s scorecard is likely to generate just as much discussion as the official results. If the AI’s scoring significantly differs from the human judges, it could reignite debates about the fairness of traditional boxing judging and push for further integration of technology in the sport.

Final Thoughts

As Fury and Usyk prepare to step into the ring for this monumental rematch, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Usyk will look to reaffirm his superiority after his victory in their first bout, while Fury is determined to reclaim his place at the top of the heavyweight division.

The addition of an AI referee adds a new layer of excitement—and potential controversy—to an already historic fight. Whether this experiment proves to be a groundbreaking innovation or just a fleeting novelty, it will undoubtedly make Fury vs. Usyk 2 a fight to remember.