The future of AI judging in boxing is a hot topic, especially in the wake of some controversial decisions at the Olympics in Paris. While British Olympic boxers faced tough judgment calls, a potential solution was being showcased close to home in London. At the O2 Arena, Derek Chisora’s win over Joe Joyce was a professional bout where artificial intelligence (AI) was used to give viewers a clearer picture of the fight’s true winner.
Developed by tech start-up Jabbr, the ‘Deepstrike’ system has the potential to transform how boxing matches are judged. By tracking key metrics like punches thrown, landed, impact, pressure, and aggression, Deepstrike aims to minimize human error, bias, and corruption in scoring. Although currently used by broadcasters like TNT Sports, interest has been expressed by organizations in amateur boxing as well.
Despite the promise of AI judging systems, Olympic boxers like Delicious Orie, Rosie Eccles, and Charley Davison have faced judging controversies at Paris 2024. This disappointment comes after the IOC’s efforts to improve judging following corruption scandals at Rio 2016. The introduction of a fairer scoring system was supposed to prevent such issues, but Team GB has still faced challenges in Paris.
Interestingly, the IOC launched its Olympic AI Agenda in London earlier this year, emphasizing how technology could enhance fairness and transparency in judging. This aligns with Jabbr’s belief in promoting fairness and giving every athlete a chance to showcase their skills. However, despite these synergies, Jabbr was not involved in the Olympic AI Agenda launch nor approached by the IOC to contribute to the judging revolution.
The future of AI in boxing judging remains uncertain, especially with the sport’s status in the upcoming LA 2028 Olympics in question. As boxing faces challenges from new international federations, the use of AI to support or replace human judges may still be a distant possibility. While the potential for AI to revolutionize boxing judging is evident, its implementation at top-tier competitions like the Olympics is yet to be realized.