GLASGOW, SCOTLAND — Ugandan super-heavyweight boxer Aziz Abdul, a grandson of former President Idi Amin, has been disqualified from the 2026 Commonwealth Games following a controversial quarter-final bout against England’s Damar Thomas.
Abdul’s campaign ended in the third round after the referee ruled that he had committed repeated fouls, culminating in a headbutt against Thomas. The Ugandan boxer had reportedly received two earlier warnings before the contest was stopped with slightly more than a minute remaining.
Thomas was leading 20–16 on the judges’ scorecards when the disqualification was announced, ending Abdul’s hopes of securing Uganda’s first Commonwealth Games boxing medal since 1990. The victory advanced the English boxer to the semi-finals and guaranteed him at least a bronze medal.
The decision sparked an angry reaction from Abdul, who accused officials of treating him unfairly and questioned whether home advantage had influenced the outcome.
“All I can say about this is the decision is not right. I’m not happy about the decision,” Abdul said after the fight.
He maintained that the head contact was accidental, arguing that he had been attempting to close the distance after Thomas allegedly used his elbow during the exchange. Abdul also complained that fouls committed by his opponent had not been punished in the same manner.
The 25-year-old further suggested that he believed he needed a knockout to win because he was facing an English boxer at a Games being staged in Britain. However, there was no immediate indication that the Ugandan delegation had lodged a formal protest with World Boxing or Commonwealth Games authorities.
Thomas rejected Abdul’s account, saying his opponent had repeatedly charged forward with his head. Although disappointed that the fight had ended through disqualification, the English boxer said his main focus was preparing for the semi-final.
‘King of Scotland’ Dream Ends
Abdul had attracted international attention before the bout after declaring that he hoped to become the new “King of Scotland,” referencing one of the many titles adopted by his grandfather during his presidency.
Known in boxing circles as “Aziz Ringo,” the Ugandan had promised to use his signature power punch to win by knockout and avoid leaving the outcome in the hands of the judges.
Idi Amin, who ruled Uganda from 1971 until his overthrow in 1979, was himself a prominent boxer before entering national politics. He held Uganda’s light-heavyweight championship during the 1950s and retained a strong interest in the sport throughout his military and political career.
Abdul never personally met his grandfather, who died in exile in Saudi Arabia in 2003. His attempt to revive the family’s boxing connection on the Commonwealth stage, however, ended in controversy rather than the medal-winning performance he had promised.
The incident is likely to trigger further debate within Uganda’s boxing establishment over officiating, discipline and the country’s performance at the Glasgow Games.
