China recently hosted a first-of-its-kind humanoid robot boxing competition in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. The event was held as part of the China Media Group World Robot Competition, showcasing technology in a fun and innovative way.
The humanoids took centre stage and impressively exchanged punches inside a boxing ring, fascinating spectators.
🇨🇳 Robot gets KO'd in the world's first humanoid ROBOT FIGHTING tournament in China pic.twitter.com/Abkux5FZnj
— Dott. Orikron 🇵🇹 (@orikron) May 25, 2025
According to the BBC, the bots were developed by Unitree Robotics and “demonstrated their agility and combat capabilities in both exhibition fights and competitive matches.”
Mixed reactions were seen on social media, with one person commenting, "We laughed when robot boxing showed up in movies. Now it's here—not CGI, not props, just real metal-throwing punches." Another expressed, "The part that confuses me most is the referee in the ring." Someone joked, "They're gonna kill us all when they see the origin story arc, aren't they?"
One comment, however, prudently summarised the event as: "This isn't just entertainment—this is the birth of a new species. The first punches of a future that won't need us to throw them."
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