Bradford-born boxer to host event on AI in boxing
BBCThe University of Bradford is researching how artificial intelligence (AI) may be able to change the sport of boxing.
A panel debate organised by the university will be held inside a boxing ring at its on-site gym Unique Fitness on Tuesday.
Dr Kamran Mahroof, programme leader for MSc applied AI and data analytics at the University of Bradford, said it could make boxing safer and fairer.
"With AI there is real potential to analyse how a fighter is fighting beyond what you may actually see," he said.
He added that it could be used to assist with judging and analysing an opponent and could also spot potential injuries.
"Hypothetically speaking, [if] a particular fighter has a very aggressive style of fighting, he's active but he also gets hit quite a bit, how many headshots is he absorbing in a fight?" said Dr Mahroof.
"What will that look like over a career?
"Can we use AI to say this fighting may not be suitable if you continue fighting this way for the next five years?"
'You want excitement'
One of the members of the panel will be Bradford-born professional boxer Tasif Khan.
"As a boxing fanatic, you want that excitement," he said, speaking at his gym on Sunbridge Road. "You want to be at the edge of your seat."
Mr Khan said that if human error was taken from the judgment of boxing, it may take the excitement away.
He said: "Ten years down the line people are still talking about fights - who really won that fight?
"Is there a danger of that dying away?"
Mr Khan does, however, believe that AI could help to make boxing safer, potentially transforming the sport.
"Health and safety should be paramount in all sports so, for me, I'm a positive on that," he said.
The event on 8 April will look back at some of the most controversial decisions in the sport's history and debate whether AI could be used to solve these problems.
Those interested in attending the free event need to register beforehand.
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