The 23-year-old Rabii represented Morocco at this year’s Olympic Games in Brazil, where he captured a bronze medal in the welterweight division, losing a disputed decision (0-3) in the semifinals to Uzebek boxer Shakhram Giyasov, who then lost (0-3) in the championship final to דניאר ילוסינוב. Rabii had defeated Yeleussinov, של קזחסטן, in the gold-medal championship bout of the AIBA World Amateur Championships. An average of 6 million Moroccans viewed each of Rabbi’s Olympic matches, providing testimony to his celebrity status back home.

A gifted orthodox fighter, Rabii was the past World Series of Boxing Fighter of the Year, who signed an exclusive, multi-year managerial contract last October with Nowhere2Hyde Management, which is owned and operated by international manager גארי הייד, of Cork, אירלנד.

“We are delighted to have signed one of the best amateur boxers in the world,” הייד אמר. “Mohammed has a great style with knockout power in both hands. He will kick-star his pro career in front of his adoring fans in Casablanca February 18^ה. He is a national hero, כך, the plan is to take full advantage by building him up at home in Morocco.”

Two other boxers managed by Hyde, לשעבר עולם אגרוף האגודה (WBA) משקל נוצה Simpiwe Vetyeka ובינוני Gevorg Khatchikian, will fight in the main event and co-feature, בהתאמה, against opponents to be determined.

Vetyeka (29-3, 17 קוס), fighting out of South Africa, is currently ranked No. 4 על ידי WBA. The only two pro losses for Khatchikian (24-2, 12 קוס), a Netherlander, have been to present super middleweight world champions James Degale (IBF) ו ז'ילברטו רמירז (WBO).

Tickets are now on sale for the פבואר. 18 show in Casablanca, in which Rabii will be supported by three other Moroccan fighters.

טוויטר: @nowheretohyde,