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Headbutt ends medal bid
Ugandan boxer Aziz Abdul, the grandson of Idi Amin, was disqualified in the third round of his super-heavyweight bout against England’s Damar Thomas at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after he lifted his head into Thomas’ chin while they grappled.
“was disqualified from his fight at the Commonwealth Games after appearing to headbutt his English opponent”
The disqualification triggered boos and jeers from supporters in the crowd, and Abdul said afterward, “That decision is not correct,” when asked for his reaction to the call.
Abdul had arrived in Glasgow declaring his dream of becoming “the new king of Scotland,” and he had earlier told the BBC he wanted to become the new 'King of Scotland' in reference to Amin declaring himself that name in 1976.
The BBC said Abdul was punished after appearing to headbutt his English opponent, and it reported that he was chasing Uganda’s first Commonwealth boxing medal since Auckland in 1990.
Thomas, meanwhile, said it was “not the way” he wanted to win, even as the BBC reported he was now guaranteed at least a bronze medal.
Bias claims and racial jabs
After the fight, Abdul accused officials of bias and suggested racial motivations, telling reporters, “Of course it’s unfair. When you watch the previous fights of England, their boxers create a lot of fouls.”
In a separate account, the BBC reported Abdul later claimed the judges were against him because he is a “black African,” saying, “I am black African. He is in homeland.”
The Guardian described how Abdul refused to speak to a journalist afterwards, telling the Press Association man, “No, not you,” and adding, “I don’t like you.”
The Guardian also quoted Abdul complaining, “Holding, elbowing, a lot of bullshit,” and saying officials “cannot judge them,” while he insisted the headbutt was not deliberate.
Thomas responded by trying to keep the focus on boxing, saying, “I got the job done, not how I wanted to, but the job is done,” as the BBC reported he could not change what happened but would control how he boxes on Friday.
What comes next for Thomas
With Abdul’s disqualification in the third round, Thomas moved on in the 90kg+ super-heavyweight division, and the Telegraph reported he “moves into the semi-finals” after the referee signalled the disqualification.
“Thomas moves into the semi-finals of the 90kg+ super-heavyweight division.”
The BBC said Thomas is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal, and it quoted him saying it was “not the way” he wanted to win while he prepared to box again on Friday.
The Guardian framed the outcome as a Commonwealth Games medal guarantee for Thomas after a “wild fight with plenty of haymakers and very little quality work,” and it quoted Thomas: “I got the job done, not how I wanted to, but the job is done.”
Abdul, meanwhile, told the BBC he wanted to become the new 'King of Scotland' and after the bout insisted, “All I can say about this is the decision is not right, I am not happy,” while also saying, “Next time, I will get him.”
The BBC reported it had contacted Commonwealth Games organisers and World Boxing for a response to Abdul’s comments, as the fight’s result and Abdul’s accusations set the stage for scrutiny around the officiating.
