Ugandan super heavyweight boxer Aziz Abdul, grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, has accused boxing officials of bias and racism following his disqualification from the Commonwealth Games. Abdul was removed from competition in the third round of his bout against England's Damar Thomas for an alleged headbutt.
Abdul, 25, who competes under the nickname Ringo, expressed his dissatisfaction with the referee's decision, stating it was "not right." He believes the officials were biased towards his British opponent and that the disqualification was a result of a desire to see an English competitor advance. "I took a light punch and they counted. I landed a heavy punch on him and they deduct my points and warn me," Abdul said, alleging that English boxers often commit fouls without penalty. "Of course it’s unfair. I’m a black African, I know. It’s God’s plan. I don’t know why the officials are scared about this fight. Why can’t they let this fight continue."
He added that he felt it was an "away match" for him and that he would not resort to headbutting. "The real person they wanted to win. He was the winner before," Abdul claimed, suggesting he would have only won by knockout. He vowed to seek retribution in the future, stating, "This n***** next time, I will get him. Anytime in the future. Two years, five years, 10 years. I will show him that Aziz Ringo is a real warrior."
Abdul's grandfather, Idi Amin, was a brutal dictator who ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979 and was also a notable boxer before entering politics. The 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland" depicted Amin's regime through the eyes of a fictional Scottish doctor.