Zimbabwean boxing prospect Beaven Sibanda is set to return to the ring on 19 September, bringing an end to a lengthy lay-off caused by a serious Achilles tendon injury.
The 24-year-old, aka The One, has been out of action since July 2025, when he stopped Filipino boxer Richard Garde in the fifth round at Emperors Palace to win the vacant IBF International minimumweight (strawweight) title. The victory was the ninth of Sibanda’s professional career and his third inside the distance.
His momentum was interrupted soon afterwards when he suffered the Achilles injury while preparing for a scheduled title defence against Filipino Joey Canoy. The injury required surgery and a prolonged rehabilitation programme, forcing Sibanda to remain on medical suspension and put his next fight on hold.
The setback also cost him a potentially significant opportunity. In January, his management confirmed that Sibanda had declined a proposed 4 April world-title fight in California against IBF minimumweight champion Pedro Taduran, with manager Marco Luis saying his fighter would not have recovered sufficiently to compete at full fitness. The decision was made despite the financial appeal of the opportunity, with the team prioritising Sibanda’s long-term health and career.
At the time, Sibanda remained highly ranked across the major sanctioning bodies, listed at No. 4 by the WBC, No. 7 by the IBF and No. 12 by the WBO, underlining the standing he had built before the injury.
Now, after months of rehabilitation, the Harare-born fighter is preparing to resume his career. His return is expected to be closely watched, not only because of the length of his absence but also because of the ambitions he had established before the injury.
Sibanda’s immediate priority will be to regain his rhythm and ring sharpness, but the bigger objective remains clear: to return to the world-title picture and fulfil the potential that made him one of Africa’s most highly regarded young fighters in the minimumweight division.
His comeback will also provide an early indication of whether he can quickly reclaim the momentum he had built in 2025. Before the injury, Sibanda had combined an aggressive style with a growing reputation as a serious contender, culminating in his stoppage victory over Garde and the capture of the IBF International belt.
For a fighter still only 24, the September comeback represents both a return and a reset. After a year away from competitive boxing, Sibanda will have the opportunity to rebuild his momentum—and, potentially, resume his pursuit of a world championship.
