Technology and boxing

[frasd]

Teach them how the tech nerds get bullied by the guys that are forced to be fighters in school, and then let them find out that the end of the story shapes up with the nerds finding jobs, ways and means, with or without tech, to screw those same bullies out of title shots because of dodgy scoring and crappy tech tabulations and calculations- rankings included with the compubox.

That should be a wonderful story.

Actually that isn't half bad. Revenge of the Nerds part 3.

[IamInuit]

You might want start off by saying or claiming that there are certain things amongst human endeavors that technology cannot improve on and that one of those things fundamentally is the purity of pugilism. I suppose you might want to narrow the scope a bit. I mean gloves can be seen to be technology. Lets just say there is no application or techno gizmo to predict when spontaneity occurs and that's what much of boxing is both in a proactive and reactive way. There is no math equation to which a device may solve in order to sort out the riddle that is Floyd Mayweather.

You could then show them compubox numbers to prove the point. Technology cant even get that right on the most basic level. I've heard rumours of lasers being the next punch counter. Its technology trying to compensate for non boxing viewers and actually making matters worse. Like the silly blue light FOX implemented so people could follow the puck.

There is so much technology going on these days that even many of the judges dont know how to score a fight. Bad and even downright ridiculous cards have not decreased over time, they have increased. Its the dummy down effect lol. Watch the Bizier/JoJo Dan fight with the students after explaining to them the theory behind the ten point must system. A great example of a fight seen completely different by three different judges.

Great topic. Way to mix it up for the IT class

Ps- Yvon Durelle is one of my favourite native sons. I could watch that first Moore fight over and over again although it bugs me every time.

[Spicoli]

Explain to them that as far as implementing technology to benefit the sport boxing remains stuck in a cave and remains slow to evolve. Instant replay or the lack there of for example. One of the biggest uses of a technical feature are indeed punch stats and punch graphics but they are in fact strictly dependent on human reaction and often a skewed interpretation of the action. They are used as clear examples of a fighters effectivness and victory or defeat but are actually eye-ear candy for the announcers and viewers and do not tell the actual story of the ebb & flow that makes up a fight.

On a big picture scale the use of everyday technology and its constant improvement has broadened the visibility and in turn increased the fan base greatly. The simply access to information now finds a sport that was once considered a back room dealing, the red headed step child of professional sports, on level with other popular sports. I would never have dreamed of the simplicity and constant availability of a place like this with a wide range of fans from every walk of life to share. Not to long ago if you did not actually live near a fight town or were inside in some way...honestly you had to work to follow boxing. Look it up, dig for info in 4 newspapers and were stuck following 1,2 networks and hoping they dropped info on fights you knew happened, were happening, but heard nothing. Tell them a low point was spending $2.99 on 900 numbers to listen to world results for the weekend for some fans

Social media basically being used more and more to do the negotiations and garner support by any fighter or promoter like never before. Press conferences are going the way of the dinosaur when all you have to do is announce a date via tweet. Health and nutrition, training has to be at the top of the list too as far as a benefit with technology. Great topic and good on you for incorporating a passion and hobby into career and passing it forward to students.