Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
BEAVEN SIBANDA, is an unknown entity in boxing in Zimbabwe but that will soon change if he continues to beat every boxer who comes his way.
Soon Zimbabweans will be singing the name of the voracious 20-year-old who is unbeaten in three bouts.
In his third professional fight, Sibanda beat South Africa’s Mfanuvele Ntuli in their international catchweight bout at the Lights Out tournament in South Africa last Saturday. He won the four-round bout via a split decision.
Going under the moniker “The One”, Sibanda told Chronicle Sport that the name came from one coach who saw potential in him and told him that he is going to be a world champion one day.
“One coach gave me the name, he just said ‘Beaven you are The One, you will be a world champion one day,” said Sibanda.
Born and raised in Harare’s Mbare suburb, Sibanda says he was inspired by one of the best to ever enter the ring, Floyd Mayweather as he grew up watching him. He was however discouraged from taking boxing as he was deemed “too short” to be a boxer.
“I was doing karate at 12 years old and as I was about to join boxing, one of my fellow karateka who was doing both told me I was too short as boxing is all about height.
“I was demotivated until one day when I was 15, I saw some people training and I asked to join and the coach was impressed with my performance and invited me to a tournament three days later which I won and I realised maybe this was my thing.”
The young boxer had the full support of his self-employed mother who is a tailor and is behind his boxing kits.
“My mother was the breadwinner; she is a self-employed tailor who is the one behind my boxing kits and I’m happy my mother supported my choice of being a boxer rather than forcing me to continue with school because I knew what I wanted is boxing. My father didn’t want me to be a boxer,” Sibanda said.
Trained by the Charles Manyuchi Academy in Harare, Sibanda left the country for South Africa after getting his boxing licence as his weight in professional boxing was not available in Zimbabwe. He is being assisted by Themba Gorimbo; the 1st ranked of 34 active South Africa Pro Welterweights.
“I went to South Africa where there are small divisions and Themba Gorimbo has been of great help, he is taking care of me. This really made an impact in my career as it made me a stronger person physically and mentally,” said Sibanda.
Sibanda, who dreams of being a world champion, was full of praise for his coach, Vusi Mtolo.
“It’s not easy getting sponsorship. As athletes we are always in the gym and income only comes through fights so you will need someone who supports you,” he said.
The youngster who will fight his fourth professional match later this year promised boxing lovers that his best is yet to come.
He also encouraged other young aspiring boxers to believe in God and stay humble.
Online Reporter