Boxing:

Boxing is a sport that has been around for a very long time dating back to 7th century BC. It is a combat sport involving two athletes in a boxing ring. The sport involves athletes wearing protective gloves punching each other in the ring for an established amount of time. Whoever comes out standing is the winner. Boxing is both a world championship and an Olympic games event, making its Olympic games debut at the 1904 games in St Louis, USA. Nowadays boxing is seen at many gyms as an everyday exercise routine, as well as in competition in a professional context.

Feedback:

The development and growth of feedback mechanisms in boxing rely greatly on the evolution of technology. Boxing in the late 7th century included gloves made from soft leather thongs holding boxers hands in place. Fast forward to the 1980s and boxing protective headgear come into play. Fast forward again to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, and electronic scoring systems were in use for more accurate standardised point scoring. Ways in which the competitors train and play advanced, and the way in which coaches trained their athletes evolved with that.

Feedback in boxing has changed greatly in the past 20 years due to the advancements of computer science, and the progression of hardware developments. For coaches, the development of video analysis in boxing matches enabled them to grasp a more in-depth observation of their athlete. The data processing capabilities underlined more accurate feedback regarding areas of improvement such as the speed of punch, body movement, or any areas of the athletes defending/attacking that needed improvement. This data from computers was an important discovery in the field of boxing as it created a new form of feedback not seen in the industry before. This introduction of computer analysis, in which coaches used as a tool for feedback, allowed competitors to learn more about their weakness areas, therefore, enhancing their overall performance in competition.

An article by O’Donoghue, 2006, Discusses the use of video analysis and playback as a form of feedback. It states recording and analysing the statistical information provided by video replay, can provide and identify areas that require attention such as incorrect body position, and accuracy of hit. This type of observation of performance allows for coaches to identify the exact position an error occurred. For the sport of professional boxing, this form of feedback is very effective as coaches and athletes can both visually watch events together and then analyse the performance segment by segment.

Motion Interactive Video recording/Scanning System

This software captures a 360° HD video with infrared emitters, image sensors and optical character recognition for detecting motion and precision of a fighter’s movements while engaged in a fighting match. The athlete wears a pair of smart UFC boxing gloves which are equipped with personalised wrist pulse trackers. These trackers analyse statistics and data such as:

• Heart Rate
• Blood Pressure (Vital Signs)
• Smart Punch (Speed/ Velocity)
• Momentum of Body
• Impulse of Attack/Defence
• Power

The artificial intelligence software used in professional boxing counts and analyses the number of hits by each fighter, as well as noting where the athlete’s body was at the time of the hit. This data is sent directly and simultaneously to the coach, which can then be used for feedback of performance.

Other equipment used with this technology in boxing:

• Smart boxing gloves
• Smart punching bag
• Smart protective cup system
• Smart protective head gear
• Smart hand wraps

Artificial intelligence has most certainly made its mark in the professional world of boxing. It is becoming the leading source of analysis technology and a key element in enhancing the implementation of training methods amongst professional athlete.

The wearable technology available due to the advancements of artificial intelligence has revolutionised the way professional boxers train. Boxers are now able to wear and train nearly completely covered in A.I technologies. This sport relies greatly on the use of equipment and wearable gear, because of this, A.I has a promising future of growth in this discipline. As well as for professional athletes in this sport, artificial intelligence in boxing has created a new way in which everyday people can train. A. I in boxing can appeal to a wide range of users which will create a boom in the industry. The implementation of artificial intelligence in the professional sport of boxing has created new and contrasting ways to receive and give feedback, as a coach and athlete. It has opened doors to the way boxers train, fight and learn.

For coaches and athletes, artificial intelligence used in the sport of boxing has created a new dimension of play, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds, specifically in this field of professional sport.