Glasgow: England super-heavyweight boxer Damar Thomas is set to face a formidable opponent in the Commonwealth Games boxing competition-a bout against Aziz Abdul, the grandson of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin, which could determine Thomas's progression into the medal rounds.
According to Ghana News Agency, Aziz Abdul, who is known by the moniker 'Ringo', embraces his connection to Amin, a notorious military leader who seized control of Uganda in 1971. Amin's regime was marked by the deaths of up to 500,000 people and the expulsion of Uganda's entire Asian population, prior to his ousting and subsequent exile eight years later. Amin was not only a dictator but also an accomplished boxer, holding the Ugandan light-heavyweight title for nine consecutive years from 1951 to 1960. After losing a bout to Peter Sseruwagi in 1958, Amin orchestrated a rematch post-presidency, securing a staged victory while donning a suit jacket and tie.
Aziz, who is 25 years old, draws inspiration from his grandfather's feats. "My grandfather's achievements inspired me," Aziz stated. "Lions give back to lions. A lion must resemble a lion. It is what it is. I am a real warrior. I am the son of the son." Aziz's confidence is further bolstered by his familial ties to Amin, who famously declared himself the king of Scotland in 1976 after developing an interest in the country during his service with the King's African Rifles regiment.
Aziz comes from the same remote West Nile region as his grandfather, who passed away in 2003. He carries forward Amin's legacy and confidence as he steps into the ring. Thomas, a 21-year-old European youth champion, is seeking to become the fourth consecutive English winner of the +90kg title. Aziz, on the other hand, plans to utilize his mysterious 'Ringo Punch' to secure a victory by knockout, aligning with Amin's infamous advice: "the only way to defeat an enemy who is against the country is to win by knockout."
Aziz expressed his anticipation for the match, stating, "I am very happy to be fighting the English fighter. 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." Aziz also mentioned his admiration for renowned fighters such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, and particularly Mike Tyson. "If I win the gold medal, I will be the baddest man in the Commonwealth, the baddest man in Glasgow, and the new king of Scotland," Aziz declared.