Following a disputed loss for boxer Dimeji Shittu, calls are growing to consider AI as a tool to improve scoring transparency and objectivity in the sport.

English boxer Dimeji Shittu faced a controversial defeat after judges awarded a final round victory to his opponent, Ankush, despite Shittu appearing to land more blows. The decision was compounded by point deductions for Shittu dipping his head, though judges ultimately scored the final round 4-1 in favor of Ankush. Commentators and fellow athletes, including Delicious Orie, criticized the officiating as unfair.

Calls for AI implementation

Following the match, 2022 Commonwealth Games superheavyweight champion Delicious Orie suggested that integrating AI into boxing could help remove human bias. Orie argued that such technology could make boxing an objective sport by establishing a specific, rule-based scoring system rather than relying on individual opinion.

Industry exploration of technology

World Boxing, the organization overseeing amateur boxing for events like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, is currently exploring the potential implementation of AI under president Gennadiy Golovkin. While no immediate changes are planned, the organization is investigating whether technology can enhance transparency and integrity. AI was previously used behind the scenes during the 2024 bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

Challenges for automated scoring

The potential use of AI in boxing faces questions regarding how to quantify subjective elements of the sport. Experts note that unlike sports where technology determines factual events like offsides or out-of-bounds calls, boxing requires evaluating the power and quality of punches. Determining whether all punches are equal remains a significant hurdle for developers.