Lovemore Dube, [email protected]
HIGHLY rated Zimbabwe flyweight boxer Ndabezinhle Phiri will fight for the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) title against Brandon Daord in Liverpool, United Kingdom on November 21.
This will be the highest level for any Zimbabwean boxer to fight on since 1980.
Phiri, a Lobengula Boxing Club prodigy under Anderson Sibanda now resident in South Africa, is ranked fourth in the world across all sanctioning bodies.
The fight could be a big breakthrough for Zimbabwean boxing which for years has been clamouring for a new big hitter following Charles Manyuchi’s rise to silver category in the middleweight division in which at one stage he was international champion.
But Manyuchi was not at the level of Phiri.
Next month’s IBO title fight at Liverpool’s Boxpark will be Phiri’s 12th fight in a professional career which boxed off in October 2021 with a win over Zimbabwean Marshal Shiri.
He would go onto beat Prichard Dube and Charlton Malajika in 2022 and 2023 respectively both Zimbabweans before taking on South African Mandla Nxele.
Phiri was initially set to fight Daord last month was called off due to injury.
Daord is a revered boxer in the United Kingdom where he has been super flyweight champion following his win over Matt McHale OF Scotland last month.
Daord added another title to his resume beating Keyvin Lara to take the World Boxing Council International flyweight belt.
Described as having been a quality boxer during his amateur days, Daord turned professional in 2016 and has had 12 fights in the paid ranks.
The once Birkenhead based fighter now is based in Liverpool.
At 29, Daord will face a boxer fours younger than him.
Sibanda, Phiri’s former mentor at Lobengula is on cloud nine that his dream is close to fruition.
“Words cannot describe how I am feeling. I’m over the moon my brother. I am proud of him and myself njengabantu beLobengula. From the boxing hall of Lobengula Youth Centre to the ring of Liverpool Boxpark, it is indeed such an amazing achievement for us,” said Sibanda.
He said discipline and hard work have always carried Phiri.
“He is a hard worker and humble boxer. He has remained on his feet despite knocking on the doors of boxing greatness. From Lobengula Boxing Club we wish him all the best and we know what impact that could have on the development of professional boxing in Bulawayo if he wins the title,” said Sibanda.
Thamsanqa Dube has held the African version of the World Boxing Association with Elvis Victor Moyo has held the continental World Boxing Federation belt. Both were champions in the heavyweight division.
For Phiri, fighting rated boxers in South Africa has helped him get a fourth ranking in the powerful World Boxing Council and top spot in the International Boxing Organisation.
