Aziz Abdul, 25, grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, was disqualified for headbutting English boxer Damar Thomas during their super-heavyweight quarter-final bout at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on July 29 [1, 2, 3, 4]. The disqualification came in the third round after Abdul received multiple warnings and point deductions for fouls before the headbutt incident [1, 4].
At the time of the disqualification, Abdul was trailing on all judges' scorecards [1, 4]. Damar Thomas, 21, said, "It was not the way I wanted to win" [1]. Abdul claimed the headbutt was unintentional and called the referee's decision unfair, alleging racial bias against him as a black African competing away from his homeland. He said, "All I can say about this is the decision is not right, I am not happy" and "I am black African. He is in homeland" [1].
Abdul, also known as Aziz Ringo after his signature punch, said before the fight he wanted to be the "new King of Scotland," referencing Idi Amin's 1976 self-declaration as King of Scotland [1, 2, 3, 4]. He refused to speak to a journalist associated with unfavorable coverage of his grandfather [2].
Idi Amin ruled Uganda after seizing power in a 1971 coup and his brutal regime is estimated to have caused around 500,000 deaths [1, 2]. Abdul said about the match, "There were a lot of fouls, holding, elbowing, a lot of bullshit. The officials cannot judge them" and "How can I headbutt someone? I would not headbutt someone" [2]. He also stated, "This referee’s decision is not right and I am not happy" [4].
The super-heavyweight quarter-final bout was held on July 29, with the disqualification ending Abdul’s run at the 2026 Commonwealth Games [1, 2, 3, 4].
