World Boxing is considering the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to review bouts, according to outgoing president Boris van der Vorst.
The World Boxing chief recognized that addressing the controversial scoring system will be a key challenge for the organization overseeing the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The main challenge in boxing is maintaining the integrity of the competition, as the best boxer’s hand is raised at the end of each bout, according to Van der Vorst during the World Boxing Cup Finals.
He stated that they are currently exploring the use of AI to review boxing bouts in order to restore trust among fans and boxers, noting that it is a work in progress.
Scoring in boxing, whether under the previous International Boxing Association (IBA) or the current organization, is a contentious issue. Resolving this is considered crucial for World Boxing to achieve full recognition from the International Olympic Committee.
To promote fairness, the World Boxing has recently implemented a ranking system that ensures top boxers face off later in major competitions instead of in the early rounds.
The ranking points are implemented to seed and rank boxers before major tournaments, preventing the two strongest boxers from clashing in the first round, according to Van der Vorst.
Nikhat Zareen, an Indian boxer with two World titles, was unseeded at the Paris Olympics and faced eventual gold medallist Wu Yu of China in the second round. The new ranking system by World Boxing considers boxers’ performances over the season for determining seedings.
Van der Vorst indicated that the qualification process for the LA Olympics is not yet finalized. He stated that they aim to evaluate the most suitable process and make a decision next year, currently planning to rely on a combination of continental and world qualifiers.
Van der Vorst believes India has the potential to become a superpower in boxing, noting the enthusiasm of children in gyms aiming to represent their country at the Olympics.
India’s women’s boxing team has demonstrated strong performance at the World Championships in Liverpool, indicating significant talent. In contrast, the potential of the men’s team could also emerge with more participation in major events. Boris van der Vorst, previously an administrator with the banned IBA, played a key role in maintaining the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics and is concluding his tenure as World Boxing prepares to appoint a new president.
