Ugandan super-heavyweight Aziz Abdul criticized the decision after officials ruled he had headbutted his English opponent during their quarter-final bout.

Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul, the grandson of former Ugandan president Idi Amin, saw his Commonwealth Games medal hopes come to a controversial end after being disqualified from his super-heavyweight quarter-final against England’s Damar Thomas.

The 25-year-old was removed from the contest after match officials ruled that he intentionally made illegal head contact with his opponent during the third round, handing Thomas victory and a place in the semi-finals.

Aziz Abdul Disqualified Following Third-Round Incident

Abdul had already received warnings from the referee during the opening two rounds and was trailing on all three judges’ scorecards when the decisive moment unfolded.

Officials determined that the Ugandan fighter lifted his head into Thomas’ chin while the pair were locked in a clinch, resulting in an immediate disqualification under boxing regulations.

The decision secured Damar Thomas a place in the Commonwealth Games semi-finals, guaranteeing the English boxer at least a bronze medal.

Aziz Abdul Alleges Unfair Officiating

Following the bout, Abdul strongly rejected the ruling, insisting the contact was accidental rather than deliberate.

The Ugandan boxer also criticized the officiating, claiming the referee failed to penalize his opponent’s fouls throughout the contest.

“I am black African. He is in homeland,” Abdul said, suggesting the decision was influenced by racial bias.

Thomas, meanwhile, acknowledged the controversial finish, saying it was not the way he had hoped to progress in the tournament.

Uganda’s Boxing Medal Wait Continues

The defeat ends Abdul’s bid to become the first Ugandan boxer to win a Commonwealth Games boxing medal since 1990, extending the country’s lengthy wait for a podium finish at the multi-sport event.

Despite the disappointment, Abdul remains one of Uganda’s rising talents in the heavyweight division and is expected to continue his pursuit of success on the international boxing stage.

Aziz Abdul’s Family Connection to Idi Amin

Aziz Abdul is the grandson of Idi Amin, the former Ugandan military ruler who governed the country between 1971 and 1979.

Before entering politics, Amin was an accomplished boxer and won multiple national heavyweight titles during his military career. However, his presidency became synonymous with widespread human rights abuses, political repression, and economic decline, with historians estimating that hundreds of thousands of Ugandans were killed during his rule.

While Abdul’s sporting career has often drawn attention because of his family name, the boxer has sought to establish his own legacy through achievements in the ring.