MBABANE – Team Eswatini faces a spectrum of tough opponents in the ongoing IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This follows the official draw conducted a day ago for the six boxers representing the country in the prestigious International Boxing Association (IBA) showpiece.
The competition kicked off yesterday and is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, December 13, 2025. It began yesterday with some Last 32 bouts in the weight categories, with more participants and top boxer Thabiso Dlamini entering the ring around 9pm at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.
The Matsapha Boxing Club puggilist began his journey to winning the country’s first ever historic medal against a mid-level challenge. He faced a Greek boxer Thodoris Ritzakis in the 2023 World Championships. Dlamini is also a seasoned fighter who has attended the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
The other five boxers are expected to step onto the squared circle as of today to begin their campaign from the Last 16 rounds. Khayelihle Mkhabela and Khaya Shongwe face high-level competition in their categories. They were drawn against opponents from highly-competitive boxing nations.
Shongwe, in the Under-54kg category, will go blow-for-blow with Azerbaijan’s Sleymanov. Boxers from this country are known for their strong technique and conditioning.
Meanwhile, Mkhabela will fight against Brazil’s Santos Oluveria. Brazil is an established world power in amateur boxing, with boxers constantly medalling at World Championships and Olympic Games, marking one of the toughest challenges in the kingdom’s line-up.
Meanwhile, Coach Muzi Shongwe, speaking on behalf of the coaching team, said they are fit for any challenge. Shongwe is with Douglas Simelane in Dubai as Team Eswatini’s coaches. “Advancing through is possible, although we have opponents from stronger nations. We’ve prepared for this tournament. I’m confident that we will turn the corner,” Shongwe said.
The IBA offers mouth-watering prize incentives for up to fifth place. However, any local boxer who can finish fifth could return home with an E171 858 (US$10 000) consolation prize. The boxer will take half of it, and the remainder will be shared equally between the coach and their federation, respectively.
Leave a comment