Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul alleges bias following Glasgow exit
Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul was thrown out of the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday after officials ruled he headbutted his opponent twice during a super-heavyweight quarter-final.
The 25-year-old, grandson of Uganda’s former leader Idi Amin, was disqualified in the third round of his bout against England’s Damar Thomas in Glasgow.
The decision ended Abdul’s chance of winning a medal at the Games, which are held every four years for countries in the Commonwealth.
Speaking after the fight, Abdul said he felt the decision was unfair and targeted him, according to The Athletic.
“This referee’s decision is not right and I am not happy,” he said. “It’s unfair. I am a black African. I know when officials are scared of a fight.
How can I headbutt someone? I would not. They wanted him to win because he’s at home. This was an away match for me.”
He added: “It’s God’s plan. I wish him good luck in his next fight.”
Thomas, who is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal, disagreed.
“I got the job done,” he said. “Not how I wanted, but the job is done. He was coming at me with his head.”
Games organizers have not responded to Abdul’s claims.
Abdul came into the Games in the spotlight because of his grandfather. Idi Amin seized power in Uganda in 1971 and ruled for eight years. Human rights groups say at least 300,000 people were killed under his rule, and he forced Uganda’s Asian community to leave the country. He was removed from power in 1979 and died in exile in 2003.
Abdul said he never met Amin, but was inspired by him. Amin was also a heavyweight boxer.
“He was a heavyweight like me, and I am proud of him,” Abdul said before the Games. “Lions give back to lions. I am a real warrior. I am the son of the son.”
Before Glasgow, Abdul also said he wanted to become the new “King of Scotland” a reference to Amin calling himself that in 1976. Amin’s story was later made into the 2006 film 'The Last King of Scotland'.
With Abdul out, Thomas advances to the semi-finals.