Panel pull no punches at AI in boxing debate
Fighters, coaches and academics fought their corner as they debated the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in boxing.
Set inside a ring, ‘Fight or Byte: Can AI transform the boxing world?’, held at the University of Bradford’s Unique Fitness, saw a panel of boxers, trainers and academics square off to debate how AI could have helped with judging bouts and how it could shape its future.
Dr Kamran Mahroof, Programme Leader for MSc Applied AI and Data Analytics at the University of Bradford, event host and one of the panellists, said: “Boxing is a multi-billion pound industry that draws viewers and fans from all over the world.
“Given its global appeal and financial scale, it makes sense – both economically and ethically – to explore how technology can enhance fairness and safety within the sport.
“The consensus among both the panellists and audience was that AI has the potential to benefit boxing, particularly when integrated alongside the expertise of coaches, judges, and medical professionals – not replace them.
“The event also served as a valuable platform to highlight the University’s cutting-edge work in AI.”
The Fight or Byte panel inside the ring at the event. Images credit: Kiran Mehta @ KM Images
Fight or Byte panellists
Jawaid Khaliq MBE became the first British Asian World Champion, winning the IBO Welterweight title in 2001.
Tasif Khan is a Bradford-born former Superflyweight World Champion in both the World Boxing Union and Global Boxing Union promotions. He was awarded an honorary fellowship by the University of Bradford in 2021 in recognition of his career and dedication to the community.
Oleksandr Pohodin is a former amateur boxer and Ukrainian coach, now based in Sheffield. Mark Baxendale, a solicitor and boxing trainer, and Akeelah Wooding Foster, a teenage female boxer, completed the panel.
Fight or Byte host, Dr Kamran Mahroof, Programme Leader for MSc Applied AI and Data Analytics at the University of Bradford. Images credit: Kiran Mehta @ KM Images
Tale of the tape from Fight or Byte
During the event, the panel slugged it out in the ring during a 60-minute debate.
The questions debated by the panel and the audience included whether AI has a role in boxing, if the sport needs to evolve and welcome new technologies to stay relevant, if AI-assisted judging in bouts eliminate controversial decisions, could AI reduce the number of controversial decisions in boxing and could the use of AI in boxing deter fighters from taking part.
They were also asked could AI enhance boxing by supporting fighters’ training and evaluating their performance.
The audience were given the chance to vote on these questions related to boxing in AI by holding up a card with a green-coloured boxing glove to agree with a statement, while using a card with a red-coloured boxing glove to disagree.
Despite most of the crowd and panellists agreeing AI has a place in boxing, they disagreed with the statement that AI should be used to help with fighter rankings.
The crowd were also given a ringside seat to find out more on the University of Bradford’s work on AI and the courses it offers in this field.
Fighters sparring at Fight or Byte. Images credit: Kiran Mehta @ KM Images
Some of the panellists’ views
Tasif said: “Any mechanism, including AI, that can help with the wellbeing of a fighter, is a positive. AI has a major role in wellbeing.
“I would not see AI having an impact on the judging aspect of boxing.”
Mark said: “AI is a supplement that adds to improving training methods. It can work together to improve a boxer. I’m very curious about AI in boxing. It’s got a place, but it’s not a silver bullet.”
The audience hold up their green boxing gloves to agree with an opinion on AI in boxing. Images credit: Kiran Mehta @ KM Images
The winning opinion
The final question of the evening saw the audience asked: ‘Agree or disagree – AI can transform the boxing world.’ Most of the audience agreed by holding up their cards showing green gloves.
The event was part of the University’s Bradford 2025 programme, that will see research from the University come to life and celebrate the things that are important to our communities and city.
Details on the University of Bradford’s work on Artificial Intelligence. Images credit: Kiran Mehta @ KM Images
Different is what we do
UNIDENTIFIED – Creating new opportunities
Exploring the potential of AI in boxing is one of the ways the University of Bradford is using technology to create new opportunities.
Other ways include Professor Hassan Ugail, Director of the Centre for Visual Computing and Intelligent Systems, who is part of OrQA (Organ Quality Assessment), which is using AI to speed up organ transplants in a bid to save lives and money.
OrQA has been awarded £1.6m by the National Institute of Health Research to begin clinical trials in May, with a view to making the technology available to the NHS within two years.
Images credit: Kiran Mehta @ KM Images