An AI-powered judge will be trialled during Saturday’s heavyweight title rematch between WBO, WBC and WBA champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in Riyadh.
The verdict of the AI judge will not contribute to the official outcome of the bout but is a first for a sport where the scoring often leads to controversy.
Should the fight go the distance at Kingdom Arena then the result will be determined by the usual three ringside judges. However, the presence of the technology adds a fascinating element to the event and provides a glimpse of what the future of scoring could look like.
The trial was announced on Tuesday night by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority and the driving force behind the Riyadh Season boxing events.
He posted on X: “For the first time ever, an AI-powered judge will monitor the fight. Free from bias and human error brought to you by The Ring [magazine]. This ground-breaking experiment, which won’t impact the official results, debuts during the biggest fight of the century.”
While it is not clear who is providing the technology or exactly how it will work, several companies have been attempting to develop effective AI solutions for scoring in combat sports.
It is claimed the technology is capable of discerning between those punches that land, partially land, are blocked or parried, or miss entirely. Measuring the velocity and the force of the blows is also factored in.
World Boxing, a breakaway international federation hoping to secure recognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to run amateur boxing, revealed in September they would embrace the latest technology in a bid clean up the sport’s reputation. Scoring in amateur boxing has been even more maligned than in the professional ranks.
“What we are now exploring is using modern technology like AI to make judging more transparent,” World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst told the Press Trust of India in September.
“There are very interesting projects that have already started to make judging more objective than subjective. We have to rebuild some trust. I agree there is trust deficiency but we are working on modern technology to build that.”
When the two rivals first met in May, it was Usyk who prevailed thanks to a split decision on the cards. One judge scored the fight 114-113 for Fury and the other two had it 115-112 and 114-113 for Usyk.
Boxing is typically scored by three ringside judges using what is known as the '10-point must system', where at least one fighter each round is awarded 10 points, unless a point deduction occurs.
The other fighter is usually awarded nine points, but the more dominant the winner of the round, the lower the score of their opponent. Rounds where a fighter is knocked down are usually scored 10-8 in favour of the aggressor.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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'Moonshot'
Director: Chris Winterbauer
Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: SimpliFi
Started: August 2021
Founder: Ali Sattar
Based: UAE
Industry: Finance, technology
Investors: 4DX, Rally Cap, Raed, Global Founders, Sukna and individuals
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm
Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km
On sale: now
Price: Dh149,000
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THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Company%20Profile
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Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
Starring: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas
Three stars
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
