Mourad Aliev envisions the perfect next step in his budding pro career.

A chance to revisit the past.

France’s Aliev is the latest to join the Probellum family, entering a co-promotional agreement with the upstart outfit. The move comes on the heels of not only his latest win but also the pro debut of his 2020 Tokyo Olympics rival Frazer Clarke, with hopes of settling the score in the paid ranks. The 6’7” southpaw—who represented France as a super heavyweight—was disqualified in the second-round of his quarterfinal bout with Clarke, which prompted an hour-long sit-in protest before finally leaving the Kokugikan Arena main floor in disgust.

Clarke (1-0, 1KO) went on to secure a Bronze medal for Great Britain, while Aliev (2-0, 1KO) left emptyhanded before turning pro last November under Arena Box Promotions who will work in conjunction with Probellum to guide Aliev’s career. Both boxers fought in separate countries this past Saturday, with at least one side of the equation hoping their future—if not immediate—includes the next chapter in their rivalry.

“I felt a great injustice in the Olympics and although the officials now accept they made a mistake, it was still an injustice,” insists Aliev.  “But I will use the pain of that experience to make sure I achieve great things in the professional ranks, which I know will happen with the backing of both of my promoters Probellum and Arena Box.”

The signing comes shortly after Aliev stopped overmatched Dorde Tomic at 0:40 of round two this past Saturday in Hamburg, Germany. The feat took place shortly prior to Clarke making his pro debut on a far more celebrated show, scoring a first-round knockout of late-notice opponent—and fellow debutant—Jake Darnel on the undercard of the Kell Brook-Amir Khan Sky Sports Box Office pay-per-view card in Manchester, England.

“I would definitely love a rematch with Clarke and I watched his professional debut on Saturday, which was a joke of a fight,” stated Aliev, who is 1-3 versus Clarke in the amateur ranks. “He won a bronze medal after I was disqualified in the Olympics but he knows I was winning our fight before it was called off.”

Aliev outpointed the Brit in the final round of the European Olympic Qualification tournament last June in Villebon, France, avenging two prior defeats including from earlier that February. Their Olympic quarterfinal bout was a messy affair, with Clarke cut over both eyes and the fight ending with Aliev disqualified for a ruled headbutt. Aliev was furious, spitting out his mouthpiece and attempting to kick it out of the ring before shouting into a camera that he should have won the fight.

His claim and subsequent hour-long protest proved to be for naught, though the incident made international headlines with nearly every mainstream news outlet. It clearly remains part of his backstory in the infancy of his pro career.

“The world saw those emotional images of Mourad Aliev after he suffered the disqualification at the Olympics,” said Richard Schaefer, president of Probellum upon joining the southpaw as a co-promoter. “And our job is to now harness that pain and desire to help Mourad fulfil his vast potential in the sport’s blue-ribbon division.

“At 6’7”, he is a giant heavyweight and everyone at Probellum is thrilled to have him on board.  The Frazer Clarke rematch would be a huge fight down the line.”

Added Ahmet Oner, founder and president of Arena Box Promotions: “I am delighted to be teaming up with Probellum as the co-promoters of Mourad Aliev. Together, I know we can help Aliev move up the heavyweight rankings and give him the platform to show just how good he is, after what happened in the Olympics.”

News of Aliev’s next fight is expected in the coming weeks.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox