The world's first-ever robot boxing match pitted two humanoid robots against one another in a historic event that foreshadows the future of combat sports. The historic bout took place over the weekend in Hangzhou, eastern China, during the China Media Group World Robot Competition.
Footage shared by state-run broadcaster CGTN shows two life-sized robots complete with boxing gloves and headgear, trading punches and kicks in a small ring while a human referee watches from the sidelines. Though remote-controlled by human operators nearby, the robots moved with surprising coordination, throwing straight punches, hooks, sidekicks, and even aerial spin kicks.
The fighters, each 4.3 feet (132cm) tall and weighing 35kg (77 pounds), are G1 bipedal robots developed by Chinese company Unitree Robotics. Unitree’s spokesperson Chen Xiyun told Global Times that the match was an example of “human-machine collaborative fighting” and said the robots were also able to recover after falling—an essential skill in any boxing ring.
Priced at $16,000 (£12,000), the G1 robots are marketed as agile machines capable not only of combat but also of tasks like shaking hands, waving to crowds, and lifting small objects. The robots can reach speeds of 2 metres per second (around 5 mph) and carry loads up to 3kg (6.6 pounds).
Online viewers had mixed reactions. Some called the match “cool”, “adorable”, and “a historic moment”. Others compared it to a real-life version of Robot Wars. One commenter noted, “This is just the start. Imagine what these robots will do in five years.”
Still, not everyone was convinced. A YouTuber said the bout was “underwhelming” but recognised its potential, while another wished the robots had fought autonomously rather than being remote-controlled.
Despite the novelty, the event reflects a serious shift in robotics. CMG emphasised that all fighting bots used domestically developed tech.
And according to Global Times, a full-scale humanoid combat tournament is already planned for December in Shenzhen.
Unitree, which also makes the Go2 robot dog—a consumer-orientated rival to Boston Dynamics’ Spot—has quickly become a leader in affordable robotics. While Boston Dynamics' Spot sells for $75,000 and targets industrial use, Unitree’s Go2 costs around $1,600 and is aimed at everyday consumers.
While the robots in Sunday’s match may still look like rookies, they mark an important step toward merging artificial intelligence with physical sport. The future of fighting, it seems, may not be human at all.
