As the sun sets on another turbulent day in the sporting world, a pivotal change looms on the horizon, one that could redefine fairness and precision in boxing. Imagine a world where every punch, every block, and every decision in the squared circle is scrutinized with the precision of technology. This is not a distant future scenario. The potential introduction of video assistant referee (VAR) technology into boxing, similar to its role in football, is about to become a reality. The hype around this innovation has reached its peak with the possibility that the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk match could become the inaugural event to see VAR technology in the ring.
The cornerstone of fair play
The hype for VAR technology in boxing It's not a new chorus but it has found renewed force with Spencer Oliver suggesting that a high-stakes Fury vs Usyk match could pioneer its use. World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman echoes this sentiment, highlighting the potential of technology to ensure the integrity of decisions is not left to the fallibility of human judgment alone. In a sport where one decision can change your career, the stakes couldn't be higher. Boxxer CEO Ben Shalom's enthusiasm for introducing VAR into big fights highlights the collective ambition for transparency and fairness, signaling a massive shift in how boxing bouts are decided.
Ripple effects
The introduction of VAR into boxing is coupled with the background of its application in football, where it has its champions and detractors. This technology, designed to bring clarity to game-changing decisions, has often left fans grappling with confusion and frustration. This sentiment is reflected in Craig Levein's observation of his first 100 days as St Johnstone manager. Levein's tenure, marked by a concerted effort to steer the team back from the brink of relegation, highlights a journey of resilience and determination. However, the shadow of controversial decisions and the specter of VAR incompetence in football looms large, offering a cautionary tale for boxing's entry into the digital refereeing arena.
A study in contrast
On the one hand, St Johnstone's battle for Premiership survival, marred by defensive lapses and an inability to convert from winning positions, underscores the unpredictability of the human element in sport. On the other hand, the proposed VAR technology in boxing represents an attempt to mitigate unpredictability, to bring a semblance of order and justice to a sport governed in equal measure by chaos and strategy. While Levin's ultimate goal remains to secure St Johnstone's place in the Premier League, albeit with entertainment taking a back seat, the boxing community stands on the cusp of embracing a technological assistant that could revolutionize the sport.
The narrative arc from St Johnstone's bold resilience in football to the potential embrace of VAR in boxing encapsulates a broader story of evolution in sport. It is the story of how technology can serve as a beacon of hope and a mirror that reflects the challenges inherent in integrating digital precision with human endeavours. While the boxing world is keenly watching Fury vs. Usyk, perhaps the first to implement VAR, the question is not just about the effectiveness of digital refereeing, but about how it will transform the fabric of the sport itself. Will VAR in boxing usher in an era of indisputable decisions, or will it become a source of controversy, as in football?
St Johnstone's journey under Craig Levein and the controversy surrounding VAR in football and boxing serves as a microcosm of the wider narrative in sport today. It is a story marked by the pursuit of justice, the embrace of technology, and the perpetual dance between progress and tradition. As we stand on the precipice in which we may see the introduction of VAR into boxing, the saga of its application in sport continues to unfold, promising a future in which every punch, every play and every decision is hidden not just in human judgment but in the unblinking eye. Technology.
