Abdul’s Quest for the Commonwealth Heavyweight Crown Amid a Controversial Legacy

On Wednesday in Glasgow, English super-heavyweight Damar Thomas will meet Aziz Abdul, a 25-year-old boxer who markets himself as the “new King of Scotland.” The bout determines which fighter advances to the medal rounds of the Commonwealth Games +90 kg competition. Thomas, a European youth champion, aims to become the fourth consecutive English winner of the title, while Abdul seeks to capitalize on a high-profile family name to advance his own career.

The Guardian

Aziz Abdul is the grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, who seized power in 1971 and is reported to have been responsible for the deaths of up to 500,000 people and the expulsion of Uganda’s Asian community. Amin held the Ugandan light-heavyweight boxing title from 1951 to 1960 and famously staged a knockout while still wearing a suit and tie after becoming president. In 1976 he declared himself “King of Scotland,” a self-styled title that later inspired the Oscar-winning film *The Last King of Scotland*. Abdul, hailing from the West Nile region like his grandfather, repeatedly invokes this lineage, describing himself as a “real warrior” and emphasizing a “lion” identity inherited from Amin.

The Guardian

Abdul has said he will rely on a mysterious “Ringo punch” and has trained to win by knockout, echoing advice he attributes to his grandfather. He expressed enthusiasm for facing the English opponent, noting his three-year wait for the opportunity and emphasizing that the fight now takes place in Europe rather than Africa.

The Guardian

• “He was a heavyweight boxer like myself, and I am so proud of him. Lions give back to lions. A lion cannot give back to a dog or a camel. A lion must resemble a lion. It is what it is. I am a real warrior. I am the son of the son.” — Idi Amin — Idi Amin

The Guardian

• “I am very happy to be fighting the English fighter,” — Wednesday. Aziz Abdul — Aziz Abdul

The Guardian