04 Sep 2017
Champion boxer Floyd Mayweather plans fitness empire
BY Tom Walker
Fifteen-time boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. has revealed plans to set up a chain of fitness clubs – supported by tech-based apps and an in-home training component.
Fresh from his “money fight” with mixed martial artist Conor McGregor, Mayweather announced that the first Mayweather Boxing & Fitness club is set to open in southern California, US in November.
It will be preceded with the launch of a similarly branded training app this month (September 2017), which gives users the opportunity to learn about the champion boxer’s training methods – and replicate them at a gym.
The third element of the new fitness brand – a virtual reality-based, in-home workout service – is set to be unveiled in January 2018.
Mayweather will chair the new venture, with James Williams – a business development specialist and former Bain & Co. team leader – overseeing day-to-day operations as CEO.
Mike Melby, credited with expanding the UFC Gyms brand from six to 200 sites, has also joined the management team.
The team is thinking big and is targeting 200 new openings within two years and plans to reach 500 sites in five years.
Mayweather said the business will look to open sites across the US and abroad – including in economically challenging environments, as he believes in offering “elite fitness resources to everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status”.
“Through a scalable business model – which includes an enticing franchisee and affiliate return structure – Mayweather Boxing & Fitness will be in neighborhoods all over the world, including traditionally underserved communities,” Mayweather said.
“Our fitness experience will have programmes for kids, parents and aspiring athletes – anyone who's looking to put energy into something positive.
“The training programmes will be the best in the industry, all based on my own workout routines; and they'll be accessible to all, including communities that don't currently have these kinds of facilities available."
James Williams, CEO of Mayweather Boxing & Fitness, added that the venture will look to tap into the growing trend of specialist training studios.
"We've seen a shift in the fitness industry, in that the average consumer is seeking access to the same training that elite athletes have available to them; and more studios and gyms are now dedicated to a specific discipline,” Williams said.
"Within those offerings, boxing fitness is a highly popular and extremely effective workout. We are excited to cater to this demand all over the world and be a meaningful part of the next-generation fitness experience; all under the banner and guidance of the most dominant boxer of all time."
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