Combining robots and boxing in the same sentence might sound like science fiction. But it’s quickly becoming reality. Apart from CompuBox, the stats system introduced in 1985 to track punch counts, boxing has rarely flirted with tech-driven decision-making. Imagine what a fully robotic judging system could mean: no biased scorecards, no referee blunders, and a fairer playing field across the board. While that vision has long been on the drawing board, it finally seems to be inching closer to reality.
Last year marked a turning point when an AI was introduced as the unofficial fourth judge during the Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk showdown. That experiment continued at the Last Crescendo Fight on February 22. But now, things are going a step further. Not just judging, but robots actually fighting each other. And somehow, as with most viral combat narratives these days, Jake Paul’s name has found its way into the mix too.
Earlier today, Happy Punch shared a clip on X that instantly sparked curiosity, and laughs. “The first ever robot boxing championship held in China ended in a knockout ,” the caption read. In the video, two humanoid robots (one clad in red and white, the other in silver and white) traded punches in what looked like a mock boxing match during a trade show in Zhejiang, China. The bout was part of a showcase by robotics firm Unitree, teasing the upcoming Iron Fist King: Awakening, billed as the world’s first official robot boxing tournament, set to debut in May in Hangzhou.
The first ever robot boxing championship held in China ended in a knockout pic.twitter.com/uhMsIJadIy
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) May 23, 2025
The match, though short-lived, had viewers hooked. The red-and-white robot wasted no time, landing a clean combo of two left hooks, a right, and another left before its opponent began to stumble. One final left hook sealed the deal, sending the silver-clad bot crumbling to the mat in mere seconds. It was fast, it was flashy, and oddly enough, it looked all too familiar.
And boxing fans never miss a chance to connect the dots. Soon after the video went viral, the robot’s awkward defense and weak chin drew unexpected comparisons, most notably to Jake Paul’s performance against Tommy Fury in February 2023. That fight, The Problem Child’s only loss to an opponent of equal size and age, left many questioning his in-ring legitimacy.
Jake Paul and Times Square card catches stray
One user bluntly wrote, “It’s remote-controlled.” Suggesting the bots weren’t reacting to one another autonomously but were instead being directed manually. The assumption? This was less AI battle and more glorified RC boxing. Whether that’s true or not, it didn’t stop the internet from turning it into a meme-fest.
Naturally, it didn’t take long for Jake Paul’s name to enter the conversation. One commenter mockingly wrote “Jake Paul future opponent.” While the 28-year-old has been busy making legitimate moves, gearing up for his June bout with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and promoting an all-women’s MVP fight card, his critics never need a reason to take shots. But if Jake Paul walks away with a win next month, he may finally silence some of the noise with actions instead of words.
Another jab came aimed squarely at Dillon Danis, who has remained out of the ring since his lopsided loss to Logan Paul in 2023. “Both those robots can beat dillon danis…” joked one user, poking fun at the MMA fighter’s underwhelming performance and extended absence from combat sports.
As with anything absurd and unexpected, some viewers were simply stunned. “What the helly,” one user exclaimed, while another dubbed the bizarre scene, “The Future of Boxing.” A few took the opportunity to roast active fighters, including Devin Haney, who was down thrice in April bout last year. “Thought I was watching Ryan Garcia vs Haney the way the bot went don’t from a left hook,” wrote one user. However, the heat didn’t stop there.
One viewer couldn’t help but throw shade, commenting, “This is more entertaining than that Times Square card.” The jab was clearly aimed at the Fatal Fury card, where Devin Haney defeated Jose Ramirez in a bout many felt lacked fireworks.
With that said, it looks like the day isn’t far when robot fights become a regular spectacle. But do you think they’ll ever generate the kind of massive paydays Jake Paul’s fights do? Or is this all just a flashy gimmick headed for a flop?
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