TYSON FURY SHARES FURIOUS RESPONSE TO SCORECARD BY AI JUDGE AGAINST OLEKSANDR USYK
When Tyson Fury found out how AI scored his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, he was not impressed. After losing to the Ukrainian boxer via split decision in May, Fury returned to the ring last night for a rematch. The Gypsy King's intense comeback campaign, which included months of silence from his wife Paris Fury, was in vain, though, as judges once again decided in Usyk's favour, allowing the 37-year-old to keep his titles and undefeated record. This time, Fury lost by unanimous decision because all three judges scored the bout in Usyk's favour.
As part of an experiment supported by Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment, the fight also included the contentious use of an experimental AI judge. Given how Fury's performance was evaluated, it's likely for his benefit that the computer-generated scorecard was only there for research purposes and had no bearing on the outcome of the actual fight. All three judges gave Usyk a score of 116–112, but AI gave the Ukrainian the third, fourth, sixth, and eleventh rounds and scored the match 118–112. The first and final rounds were deemed a tie, while Fury received the second and fifth rounds. After going viral online, the harsh scoring eventually found its way back to Fury, and the 36-year-old did not mince words when he spoke at a subsequent press conference.
He told reporters, "F**k all computers," when they asked him what he thought about artificial intelligence being used in sports. "Keep the people moving. Less work for computers, more work for people. In addition, the boxer expressed his harsh opinions about contemporary technology, saying, "And f**k electric cars too while we're at it."
Alalshikh posted a picture of the computer-generated scorecard on X with the caption, "Here’s The Ring’s AI-powered judge’s experimental scorecard from the Usyk2Fury fight," expressing optimism about the future of AI in boxing despite Fury’s profanity-filled response. It provides a distinct and objective viewpoint on the battle, even though it had no bearing on the official outcome.
"I swear to God, I thought I won by three rounds!" Fury told Sky Sports, indicating that he believed the fight had gone his way. The final scorecards also left his promoter, Frank Warren, perplexed, calling the judge's ruling "nuts." "It’s impossible. It’s crazy. It’s a nonsense. What fight were they watching?" Warren told DAZN (via The Independent)."It's nuts. I don't understand; it's nuts. That has truly disappointed me. He boxed really well, and I felt he controlled the fight. For the majority of the fight, Usyk was on the defensive, but that's just the way things are.