This children’s article, Punch! Kick! Spin! Meet the Fighting Robots of China, is for both native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It helps children practise reading and comprehension, learn fun vocabulary, and explore exciting new technology. Written by Mark Pulley, a teacher and writer who creates engaging news stories for curious young readers.
Robot Rumble! The future of boxing is here
On May 25, 2025, the city of Hangzhou in eastern China hosted the world’s first humanoid robot kickboxing event. This show was part of the China Media Group’s World Robot Competition, known as the Mecha Fighting Series. Engineers and inventors gathered to showcase their fighting machines, which jumped, spun, kicked, and punched each other inside a boxing ring.
These humanoid robots (that means they look like people) were more than just fun to watch, they offered a glimpse into the future. Humans were controlling the robots by remote control, but it won’t be long until they can fight without our help!
The matches were fast and full of action. The robots wore boxing gloves and head guards, just like humans would. This wasn’t to stop them from getting hurt, they are only robots after all, it was just to stop the expensive machines from getting too damaged. Some even had flashing lights and sound effects, like something from a video game. You can watch the fight on YouTube.
What’s the point of robot fighting?
Robot fighting may sound like science fiction, but it’s serious business. The event aimed to spotlight China’s growing expertise in AI-driven humanoids. Some of the robots were over 1.3 metres tall and weighed around 35 kilograms!
The creators hope these battles will inspire children and adults to get interested in science, technology, and robotics. Building a robot that can move like a human is not easy, it takes lots of learning, creativity, and teamwork.
What’s next?
These robot fights were just the beginning. The designers plan to make the robots even smarter and faster. In the future, these machines might help with dangerous jobs or even perform in shows and sports.
A larger-scale competition featuring human-sized robots is planned for December in Shenzhen, another major Chinese tech hub.
So, keep your eyes on the ring, because robot boxing could be the next big thing!
Article vocabulary list
- Humanoid – Something that looks or moves like a human
- Engineer – A person who builds or designs machines or systems
- Artificial intelligence (AI) – Computers or machines that can think, learn, and solve problems like people do
- Science fiction – A type of story that imagines the future or unreal technology
- Technology fair – An event where people show new inventions and gadgets
- Inspire – To make someone want to do something creative or exciting
- Kickboxing – A sport where people use their fists and feet to fight in a ring
Comprehension questions
Just click the plus (+) to see the answer
Where did the robot boxing event take place?
A) Tokyo
B) Hangzhou
C) Seoul
Answer: B) Hangzhou
Why do the creators want people to see robot boxing?
A) To sell tickets
B) To inspire interest in science and robotics
C) To build giant robots for war
Answer: B) To inspire interest in science and robotics
What might these robots do in the future?
A) Clean rooms only
B) Dance in the street
C) Help with dangerous jobs
Answer: C) Help with dangerous jobs
4. Why do the robots wear boxing gloves and head guards?
A) To look like humans
B) To stop the robots from getting too damaged
C) To help them fight better
Answer: B) To stop the robots from getting too damaged
How tall were some of the humanoid robots?
A) About 50 centimetres
B) Over 1.3 metres
C) Nearly 3 metres
Answer: B) Over 1.3 metres
Mark is a writer and EFL teacher from England with eight years’ experience. He’s passionate about travel, sport (especially football), animals, nature, and history, and enjoys helping children explore the world through language and learning.
