Young Zimbabwean pugilist Beaven Sibanda has attributed his recent International Boxing Federation (IBF) strawweight title victory to a formative encounter with global boxing icon Floyd Mayweather.
Two years after rubbing shoulders with “Money” Mayweather during his 2023 visit to Zimbabwe, Sibanda has returned home an international champion, crediting that momentous meeting as the catalyst for his remarkable achievement.
The 23-year-old sensation received a hero’s welcome earlier today at Robert Mugabe International Airport, where a throng of ecstatic fans, family, and friends, including prominent local boxing promoter Clyde Musonda, gathered to celebrate the nation’s newest champion.
“It was an inspiration because I have always looked up to Floyd Mayweather and I just wanted to be like him in the future. When I saw him it was an inspiration and to perform in front of him it was a blessing. I was so happy and I was driven to work hard and to bring the belt,” Sibanda said soon after his arrival in the country.
Sibanda also had a chance to reflect on his achievement.
“The feeling is very overwhelming, I’m so happy, I’m so excited and mostly to also come to my country and show people what I’ve achieved, yeah, it’s a blessing,” an ecstatic Sibanda said.
Sibanda, who is based in South Africa, proudly hails from Mbare, a high-density suburb in Harare, where his boxing journey began.
His IBF triumph marks a significant milestone for Zimbabwean boxing, as he is the first pugilist from the country to secure an IBO belt.
Sibanda’s IBF title shot came after a stunning fifth-round knockout victory over Filipino Richard Garde in South Africa on Saturday, July 5, 2025, which earned him the IBF International Minimumweight title.
Prior to that, he solidified his contender status with a unanimous points win over former South African junior-flyweight champion Nhlanhla Tyirha in Cape Town earlier this year.
Recalling his decisive victory, Sibanda said, “It was intense and I had a lot of support there, so for me I knew this is my job and I belong in this job, so I was ready and excited, so the atmosphere was amazing.”
For Sibanda, being the first Zimbabwean to clinch an IBF title is just the beginning.
“It feels great for me to be the first one to do it and I’m sure many are going to follow because we also have a lot of talent in Zimbabwe, so this is just the beginning. You must expect more of these belts and more people getting beaten up and more champions are going to be produced from Zimbabwe,” he declared.
