Big Data and Boxing Looking Ahead Sports Analytics
Big Data and Boxing: Looking Ahead Sports Analytics 2015 Richard Chen
Review �Big Knockout Boxing Bout on April 4 th Could not find any follow up analysis, live data records, or even screenshots of the data recorded that day Explored BKB website and Strike. Tec website – no find BKB in particular seemed much more interested in promoting its image than the live data component
Thoughts on the BKB match �Not the same as boxing The build up, the going into the ring, the bravado �There was no knockout – the fight ended up being a draw �Did not appear any more intense than a normal boxing match (would easily pick an Pacquiao fight over this one) �Seemed overrated, overhyped
Focus back in the ring �Big Question: �Which wearable sensor technologies can be used to fortify the sport, without taking away its raw and aggressive nature, while giving the fans a more satisfying experience, and at the same time, prolonging the longevity and health of the boxers?
3 Things to Consider � 1) Prolonging and protecting the health of the fighters (big data) � 2) Creating a more satisfying fan experience (big data) � 3) Maintaining the raw and aggressive nature of the sport
Boxing Gloves � Strike. Tec technology No stats from the BKB fight Capable of collecting a lot of useful data: ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ � Real-time stats from sensors Speed / Force / Technique stats Knockout punch data / Significant punch data End of Round Summary Round by Round Comparison End of Match Summary Average/Max Speed & Force throughout Determine fighter fatigue If can get past the politics and business side of things, can see Strike. Tec sensors being incorporated into normal boxing matches
Mouthguard � Replace normal mouth guards with head injury awareness mouth guards � FITGuard by Force Impact Technologies seems to be the leading brand Currently, upon impact triggers an illuminated strip on front of guard to indicate if impact was safe or not Meant for contact sports – but not really designed for high impact, pro injury sports like boxing Design Recommendation: The illumination may not work. Rather, can design it to sync up and send impact data to cloud and display head injury data to the referee. Can use to determine the condition of the fighters and if want to continue fight
Smart Clothing �Ai. Q Smart Clothing Bio. Man t-shirt has ribbed "smart sleeves" that measure the user's heart rate, respiration rate and skin temperature Can be further customized to measure skin moisture and electrophysiological signals such as EKG (for the heart), electroencephalography (EEG), or electromyography (EMG) �This can aid in detecting fatigue, water loss, overall body condition
Applicable Ai. Q Garments
Shoes �Sensors in shoes can be used to detect how active a boxer is For the trainers: is my fighter moving around too much? Not moving around enough? Design Recommendation: Measure speed and quickness, sync up with GPS technology, detect in which places quickest movements are? �Mostly useful for post-fight, during training, or in between bouts �Don’t see this as important as the other ones
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao � How can Big Data help in determining outcome of an upcoming, like the Mayweather-Pacquaio bout? � Some much discussed topics: Their speed – foot speed vs. hand speed (gloves) Power of the punch (gloves) Stamina – both are known to be top notch athletes (smart clothes, shoes) How much impact are Manny’s punches making on Floyd (crowd satisfaction? ) ? (boxing gloves) Is Pacquiao getting tired? Floyd is known to go the distance, and if Manny cannot keep up his speed and power throughout all 12 rounds and does not knock him out, will be a problem for him (smart clothes)
Benefits �With all this data, would be able to make a much more informed and educated prediction, not to mention smarter and safer bets �Of course, with boxing the one rule remains: “it only takes one punch…” �Better judging ? Interestingly, data will even benefit boxing scouts and trainers. These stats won’t influence the judging (Chris Long, the senior vice president original content and production at DIRECTV)
Issues/Concerns �Punches happening so fast – hard to see how fans will be able to really relish in the joy of a solid, hard punch for any much longer than a split second �Would wearing smart clothes encourage foul play and hiding dirty tricks?
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