By Francisco Salazar

Mohammed Rabii will make his pro debut against Adam Mate Saturday night, promoter Gary Hyde told krikya360.com.

The six round bout will take place at the Complexe Sportif Mohammed V in Rabii's hometown of Casablanca, Morocco.

The 23-year-old Rabii was an amateur standout, competing in the World Series of Boxing, but won the gold medal at the 2015 AIBA World Amateur Championships.

Rabii won a bronze medal at this past summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero, losing to Shakhram Giyasov of Uzbekistan in the semi-finals of the welterweight division.

Rabii's popularity during the Olympics was evident as an average of six million viewers in Morocco watched on television every time he fought.

"Mohammed has a great style with knockout power in both hands," said Hyde. "He will kick-start his pro career in front of his adoring fans in Casablanca on Feb. 18."

"He is a national hero, so the plan is to take full advantage by building him up at home in Morocco."

Mate (24-10, 17 KOs), who hails from Budapest, Hungary, has won his last three bouts.

The Rabii-Mate bout will headline a card that will feature a world title contender in the co-main event.

Featherweight contender Simpiwe Vetyeka of South Africa will fight in a 10 round bout against hard-hitting, but untested David Berna (8-0, 8 KOs) of Hungary.

Vetyeka (29-3, 17 KOs) has won his last three bouts since his technical decision loss to Nonito Donaire in May of 2014.

Super middleweight contender Gevorg Khatchikian (24-2, 12 KOs) faces Med Sebyala (16-8-1, 13 KOs) in a 10 round bout.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for krikya360.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing