2016 Rio Olympics Bronze medallist Mohammed Rabii is set to make his eagerly anticipated professional debut in the pro ranks this month in front of a passionate, partisan crowd in his native Morocco. We caught up with the man who signed him up as a pro, Irish boxing manager Gary Hyde, to get the low down on this exciting pugilistic talent.
23 year old Rabii also outside of his bronze Olympic medal accolade in the welterweight division, won the 2015 World Amateur Championships in Doha.
With amateur pedigree like his and as young as he is, there’s little wonder why many inside the game are raving about his potential to excel at the top level of the sport.
It was something picked up on by Hyde before many however.
He told us he spotted Rabii initially three years ago and was introduced to him through famed Moroccan actor Said Taghmaoui.
The fighter now trains in Ireland and is part of the growing stable Hyde currently looks after.
In keeping with the international trend and growth of the sport of boxing across the continents, Gary first pointed out his popularity in his home country that can be built upon:
“He has 35 million Moroccans behind him.”
On top of this massive home support, Hyde heaped significant praise on him from an entertainment value standpoint:
“He’s the most talented fighter I’ve ever signed for TV purposes. He comes forward, is a power puncher and I’ve no doubt he’ll be a world champion.”
With all the physical attributes to impress, I wanted to know the one thing that prospects turning over from the amateurs get asked about.
How is his chin and punch resistance? To which Gary Hyde replied:
“He has been sparring an 81kg guy the last couple of weeks and his chin has been tested plenty. No problem there.”
Rabii makes his professional debut later this month on February 18th at the Complexe Sportif Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco – when he takes on Hunagarian Adam Mate.
(Image source and credit: Mohammed Rabii Facebook)