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World amateur champion Mohammad Rabii
To make pro debut at home in main event
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Feb. 18 in Casablanca, Morocco
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 CASABLANCA, Morocco (Lub ob hlis ntuj 2, 2017) – Former Interim cruiserweight world champion Yuri “El Toro” Kalenga will provide chief support Lub ob hlis ntuj 18 for pro-debuting Moroccan amateur boxing sensation Mohammad Rabii nyob rau hauv lub “Battle of Casablanca” card, presented by Nowhere2Hyde, at Complexe de Sportif Mohammed V Arena in Casablanca, Morocco.Kalenga (22-3, 15 Kos), fighting out of France by way of The Congo, is currently rated No. 12 los ntawm lub ntiaj teb Boxing Association (WBA) thiab tsis. 16 los ntawm lub ntiaj teb Boxing Council (Qhov). The knockout artist takes on Garrett “Lub qhov kawg Warrior” Wilson (17-11-1, 9 Kos), ntawm Philadelphia, who is a former United States Boxing Association (USBA) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) champion.
Nyob rau hauv 2014, Kalenga captured the WBA Interim title with a 12-round split decision over 32-1 Mateusz Masternak in Monaco, followed with a successful title defense in Canada against 12-0 Denton Daley by way of a 12th round technical knockout.
Kalenga has never been in a dull fight. Two of his three career losses have been to current WBA Super cruiserweight champion Denis Lebedev (26-2), who Kalenga dropped in the fourth round, by way of a 12-round unanimous decision in Russia, and last June he was stopped for the first time in his seven-year pro career by 20-0 yunier Dorticos in Paris for the Interim WBA strap.
 The 23-year-old Rabii defeated 2016 Olympic kub medalist Daniyar Yeleussinov in the welterweight division championship finale of the 2015 AIBA World Amateur Championships to capture a gold for his native Morocco. Rabii won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic ua si nyob rau hauv Brazil, dropping a highly-disputed decision (0-3) in the semifinals to Uzebek boxer Shakhram Giyasov, the eventual silver medalist.The ultra-charismatic Rabii has reached “rock star” status in Morocco, testament by an average of 6-million Moroccans viewing each of Rabbi’s Olympic matches on Arryadia Television. “We are very excited to work with our television partners, Arryadia, on our February 18th show as the first of five shows in 2017 featuring Mohammed Rabii,” pab txhawb Gary Hyde hais tias. “Rabii has the entire nation of Morocco behind him and he will be challenging for top welterweight honors in no time at all.”
Rabii will take on veteran Hungarian boxer Adas “Phem Tub” Mate (24-10, 17 Kos) in the six-round main event.
Also in action on “Battle of Casablanca” will be former World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Organization (IBO) world featherweight champion, Simpiwe Vetyeka (29-3, 17 Kos), who is world ranked No. 4 by lub WBA, Ua Tsis. 6 los ntawm Lub nplhaib magazine, thiab tsis. 7 los ntawm lub Qhov. The gifted South African faces undefeated Hungarian prospect David Nerna (8-0, 8 Kos) nyob rau hauv ib tug 10-round sib ntau sib tw.
Netherlands light middleweight Gevorg Khatchikian (24-2, 12 Kos) will also be in action against Ugandan Med “Kabona” Sebyala (16-8-1. 13 Kos) in another 10-rounder. Khatchikian, who will be fighting as a 154-pounder for the first time as a professional, has only lost twice as a pro, both to present super middleweight world champions, James Degale (IBF) thiab Gilberto Ramirez (WBO).
Hyde manages Rabii, Kalanga and Vetyeka.
Tickets are now on sale for the Feb. 18 show in Casablanca.
NTAUB NTAWV:
Twitter: @nowhere2hyde,
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