Just after returning to training following his recovery from an Achilles injury, highly-rated Zimbabwean boxer Beaven Sibanda has received the best news ever this year – that he has been offered a massive opportunity to fight for the world title.
Sibanda, who got injured while preparing for a fight against Joey Canoy last year, is set to challenge reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimuweight champion Pedro Taduran from the Philippines on Saturday, 4 April.
According Golden Gloves, the promotional outfit’s managing director Rodney Berman will on Tuesday meet Sibanda’s management and discuss the offer.
Taduran will be making the third defence of the title he wrestled from Japanese boxer Ginjiro Shogeoka in July 2024. The 29-year-old Taduran’s first defence was against Shigeoka in July last year and he also successfully defended it against Christian Balunan in October.
Meanwhile, Harare-born Sibanda won the IBF International minimumweight title after he stopped Filipino opponent Richard Garde in the fifth round at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, in July last year.
Sibanda is rated fourth by the World Boxing Council (WBC), seventh in the IBF ratings and 12th in the World Boxing Organisation (WBO). The 24-year-old Sibanda has nine wins with three knockouts and a loss.
On the other hand, Taduran has won 19 times with 13 of those victories being knockouts, four defeats and a single draw.
