Beaven Sibanda, the Zimbabwean barnstormer, will fight for the vacant WBC International light flyweight belt at Emperors Palace on August 9.
In a calculated move, Sibanda will step up from strawweight, where he is rated number 14 by the WBC, to mount his challenge in the higher weight division where Panya Pradabsri (CP Freshmart) reigns as champion.
Promoter Rodney Berman likens him in stature and attitude to Nick Ball, the WBA featherweight champion whose muscular, non-stop style have made him devilishly hard to beat.
”The really exciting thing,” said Berman, “is that Beaven is just 23 and has had just eight pro fights. His ceiling is so high I’d match home with just about anyone at this point.”
Last year, he and Siya Kuse produced a thrilling fight – one of the best to take place in South Africa in 2024 – and although he narrowly lost, his stock went up on account of fans seeing just how accomplished he is.
Ironically, the pair are now stablemates at Brian Mitchell’s gym, sharing the philosophy that iron sharpens iron.
