In an extraordinary twist, stablemates, former rivals and belt holders Beaven Sibanda and Siya Kuse could conceivably be simultaneous world champions in the coming months.
With Kuse’s WBC championship shot already set for October, the IBO has confirmed that Sibanda will be eligible for a crack at its vacant minimumweight belt if he comes through his October 4 test against Joey Canoy. This will be for the Zimbabwean’s IBF International title which headlines the “Destiny’s Decree” tournament.
“The IBO informed me they will be happy to sanction it subject to him winning at Emperors Palace,” said Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman, who has long believed that Sibanda is world championship calibre.
Both Kuse and Sibanda have shot into the reckoning since their memorable showdown last December, which Kuse won by decision. Weeks later, Kuse joined the Brian Mitchell gym, alongside Sibanda, and now the pair regularly spar one another as they both eye championship glory.
Kuse, locked into a showdown against WBC champion Melvin Jerusalem, arguably has the harder assignment given Jerusalem’s reputation at the weight.
Sibanda is down to fight Joey Canoy, whose 31 fights (to Sibanda’s 10) points to the gulf in experience. Yet it’s also true that of Canoy’s five defeats, three were at the hands of South Africans.
Sibanda may be from Zimbabwe, but he campaigns in these waters and demonstrates the same sort of grit and guile that have made so many local minimumweight boxers stand out in recent years.
