Day 2 of DAZN News' 10 New Year's Resolutions for Boxing: Consider AI judging to be used at corner's request like an NFL coaching challenge

Far too often in boxing, judges tender scorecards that are inexplicable.

Unfortunately, 2025 was not an exception as some action-packed fights were marred by controversial rulings.

It is for that reason DAZN News’ second New Year’s Resolution for boxing in 2026 is:

To strongly consider Artificial Intelligence judging to be used at a corner’s request like an NFL coaching challenge

While an NFL coaching challenge happens during the game, initiated when a head coach throws a red flag onto the field before the next play, a potential system like this in boxing could be utilized following a controversial points decision. How it could possibly work is when wonky, illogical scorecards are announced, the corner of the defeated fighter should be allowed to issue a challenge on behalf of their charge.

The fourth judge — AI — would be scoring the fight the entire time and would then review the scorecards in question to generate either a standing by the ruling or an overturning.

Yes, a system like this would need work and refinement, especially in cases of split decisions, majority decisions and draws. One could argue that it would also take away from the production value of a big event card in creating some post-fight limbo, but at least fans in attendance and the many more streaming from home could feel justified that the right man or woman got the deserved victory upon review.

If the original victor remains the winner following the AI scoring, great. He or she was meant to be the winner and the AI recognized that through its review. But if it’s a nip-and-tuck kind of fight and everyone watching — but the judges — knows the other fighter won, shouldn’t a fourth judge be welcomed to get the verdict correct?

With the proliferation of AI and its capabilities getting sharper, this in theory sounds like a good use of the technology — something that should at least be considered.

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

AI judging has been used in a high-profile fight before as Oleksandr Usyk’s unanimous decision over Tyson Fury in their December 2024 rematch tried it out.

The bout’s three traditional judges score all scored the fight 116-112 for Usyk, while the AI judge produced a score of 118-112 for the Ukrainian. Granted, the AI's scorecard was a bit wide, but the right fighter was selected.

It is something that boxing can tinker with and build upon. Perhaps, a more comprehensive test run of AI judging is warranted to see if something like this could stick so deserving fighters get their hands raised.

Sign up to DAZN Ultimate Tier to get PPV's included in your subscription 

Subscribe to DAZN's new Ultimate Tier to get a minimum of 12 PPV events included per year, including Lopez vs. Stevenson, on top of another 185 fight nights. Plus Serie A football, watch on multiple devices, and many more extra benefits.

Sign up for £22.99 in the UK / $44.99 in the U.S. More details here.