The highly anticipated rematch between heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk is set to introduce a historic innovation in professional boxing: an AI-powered judge. While the AI judge’s score will not impact the official decision, its presence marks a potential shift in how boxing matches are evaluated, promising greater transparency and objectivity.
The AI judge—championed by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh—will debut under the Ring Magazine banner, a notable move following Alalshikh’s recent acquisition of the iconic boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya in November. According to Alalshikh, this new AI system is designed to be “free from bias and human error,” addressing a longstanding issue in the sport.
Why AI Judging Matters in Boxing
For decades, human judges have faced criticism for questionable scorecards, fueling concerns about corruption and inconsistency. The introduction of AI could revolutionize boxing by providing impartial assessments and eliminating subjective errors. While not replacing human judges for Fury-Usyk 2, the AI judge will serve as an experimental fourth judge, offering fans and analysts a unique point of comparison.
Many boxing enthusiasts and experts have pushed for open scoring—where judges’ scores are revealed after each round—to remove guesswork and ensure fairness. Though AI judging differs from this concept, it aligns with the same goal: increased clarity and definitive outcomes. As fighters, trainers, and promoters adapt to the AI criteria, it could reshape strategies for winning rounds, making the sport even more data-driven.
Who’s Behind the Tech?
While Alalshikh has not officially disclosed the AI firm developing the technology, speculation points to companies like Jabbr, known for AI-powered combat sports analytics. Jabbr has already made waves with detailed, data-driven boxing stats, and its technology closely resembles the AI judging concept teased in Alalshikh’s announcements.
However, it’s also possible that the Ring-branded AI system is an independent development from Alalshikh’s team or a new tech player. As the Ring Magazine website relaunches on December 18, additional announcements about its AI innovation are likely to follow.
What to Expect During Fury-Usyk 2
The rematch, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will put the AI judge to its first real-world test. While the scores will not affect the official outcome, the technology offers a fascinating glimpse into boxing’s potential future.
Fans will be particularly interested to see how the AI scores align with human judges and analysts like Chris Mannix, who often provide unofficial round-by-round tallies. Whether the AI scores are revealed after each round or saved for the final bell remains to be seen, but the experiment adds another layer of intrigue to an already historic bout.
The Future of AI in Combat Sports
Could boxing matches one day be judged entirely by AI? The technology is already here, and its implementation would address long-standing challenges in the sport. While AI judging is still in its infancy, this debut at Fury-Usyk 2 could pave the way for more consistent, transparent, and fair decisions in professional boxing.
As the sport evolves, the AI judge could become a staple, complementing human judges and enhancing fan engagement. For now, the world will watch closely as the fourth judge—a machine—makes its debut on one of boxing’s biggest stages.
Stay tuned to BlackChat AI for the latest in AI innovations and their impact across industries.
