Ugandan boxer Abdul ready for Glasgow challenge
Aziz Abdul, the grandson of former Ugandan leader Idi Amin, is set to compete in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Abdul, a super-heavyweight, will face Damar Thomas of England in the +90kg boxing bracket. This matchup brings a unique narrative to the boxing competition.
Abdul, who is 25, is known by the nickname “Ringo.” He has expressed pride in his family’s boxing legacy, noting that his grandfather was also a heavyweight boxer. Abdul stated that his grandfather’s achievements have inspired him, emphasizing a lineage of “lions.”
The boxer’s confidence has been highlighted in Ugandan boxing coverage, with clips shared on social media platforms and the official Glasgow boxing draw posted by the Uganda National Council of Sports, confirming the Abdul versus Thomas bout.
The “Ringo Punch” and knockout ambition
Abdul has articulated a clear strategy for his upcoming fight, aiming for a knockout victory. He has even named his intended finishing move the “Ringo Punch.” This approach aligns with advice he attributes to his grandfather, who reportedly advocated for winning by knockout to defeat an opponent.
“I am very happy to be fighting the English fighter,” Abdul said. “I have waited for this moment for three years. But now we are not in Africa, we are in Europe. As my grandpa used to say, you need to win by knockout, so that’s what we have trained for and that’s what I hope to do.”
Abdul’s ambition extends beyond the fight itself, stating his desire to become the “baddest man in the Commonwealth,” “baddest man in Glasgow,” and the “new king of Scotland” if he secures the gold medal. He cited Mike Tyson as his idol, referring to him as “the baddest man on the planet.”
Opponent Thomas and England’s strong record
Abdul’s opponent, Damar Thomas, is a formidable competitor. Thomas, who is 21, holds the title of a European youth champion. He is aiming to continue England’s strong performance in the +90kg weight class at the Commonwealth Games.
England has a notable history in this category, having won the last three Commonwealth Games titles. Thomas is seeking to secure a fourth consecutive +90kg gold medal for his team, presenting a significant challenge for Abdul.
The matchup is anticipated to be a rigorous test for Abdul, who seeks to translate his confident statements and family history into a tangible victory against a fighter with a proven tournament record. The boxing community will observe whether the “Ringo Punch” proves effective in Glasgow.
Idi Amin, Abdul’s grandfather, was a military dictator who took power in Uganda in 1971. His rule was marked by brutality, including the expulsion of the country’s Asian population and links to a significant number of deaths before his deposition in 1979. Amin was also a boxer, holding the Ugandan light-heavyweight title for nine consecutive years from 1951 to 1960.
Amin famously styled himself as the “King of Scotland” in 1976, a title that later inspired the film The Last King Of Scotland. Abdul’s current aspirations to be the “new king of Scotland” echo this historical claim.
The fight between Abdul and Thomas is part of the ongoing Commonwealth Games 2026 boxing competition in Glasgow.
Source: middleeasy.com
