A Place of Power
In every person's life, there comes a moment when they must make a choice — to surrender to difficulties or to challenge them head-on. It is in these moments that true strength of spirit is revealed — an indomitable will capable of overcoming any obstacle on the path to a dream. Functional training with elements of boxing embodies this philosophy perfectly: in the ring, you fight not only against your opponent but also against your own fears, weaknesses, and limitations. Each punch, each round tempers your character and teaches you never to give up. Yulia Serykh, co-founder of the Mayweather Boxing Club in Dubai, is convinced that boxing is more than just a sport. It is a path to self-discovery, unleashing your inner strength, and conquering yourself.
From early childhood, sports played an important role in my life, forging my character and giving me a sense of freedom. Boxing holds a special place in my heart. I am inspired when people work on themselves, their health, and their fitness. Boxing training is not only a workout but also a wonderful way to let off steam, relieve stress, and recharge your energy. In the ring, you learn to fight not only against your opponent but also against your own fears and weaknesses, becoming stronger in spirit. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to open a boxing club under the renowned Mayweather brand, I liked the idea.
The journey to creating the Mayweather Boxing Club in Dubai began in Russia, where my partners and I planned to develop a network of clubs under this prestigious American brand. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a legendary boxer, one of the most titled undefeated champions in boxing history. His name is associated with professionalism, incredible work ethic, and the desire to be the best. It was an honour for us to represent this brand in Russia. We managed to open two gyms, but unfortunately, the geopolitical situation made things difficultits adjustments.
Having moved to Dubai, I saw great potential for opening a Mayweather boxing club here. This city lives an active and dynamic life; people value their time and strive to get the maximum result from their workouts in the shortest possible time. The Mayweather Boxing & Fitness programme meets these demands precisely. It is based on high-intensity 45-minute workouts that combine elements of boxing and functional training. These are not sparring sessions, but comprehensive exercises aimed at developing all physical qualities: endurance, strength, speed, and coordination. During the workout, various stations and equipment are used to ensure a balanced and versatile load. This format allows you to effectively burn calories, get your body in excellent shape, and at the same time, get a powerful charge of energy and positivity. For me, boxing workouts have become a kind of way to visualise and achieve goals. When hitting the punching bag, you imagine the tasks and problems that you currently face, as if you are punching through a solution. The gym turns into a place of power where you learn to win not only physically but also mentally.
Opening the Mayweather Boxing & Fitness club in Dubai turned out to be an exciting and challenging journey. One of the main tasks was to find the perfect location. In a city where real estate prices are skyrocketing, it is not always easy to find a suitable space with reasonable rental terms. Being a newcomer to the market, it is crucial to carefully study all the nuances of lease agreements, calculate risks, and potential pitfalls. The slightest miscalculations can result in significant financial losses. We thoroughly examined over 35 options and eventually settled on two locations — in the promising new district of Dubai Creek Harbour and in the bustling downtown area in the South Ridge complex with a view of the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. Both gyms are located next to parks where we conduct outdoor training while the weather permits. This is an excellent way to promote the brand: people see our invigorating workouts to dynamic music and also want to join in.
When setting up the gyms, we followed the basic franchise standards of Mayweather Boxing & Fitness but also adapted the concept to local demands and peculiarities. Our club is not just a set of punching bags but a full-fledged multifunctional space for effective workouts. We have a variety of functional training equipment, a cardio zone, and a free weights area. Every centimetre of space is used as efficiently as possible to make the sessions rich and engaging. In addition, we supplemented the club's services with a cryosauna, which helps to recover faster after intense loads, as well as stretching classes to develop flexibility and muscle elasticity. In Dubai, with its hot climate, the opportunity to cool down in a cryosauna atto -87°C for 2 minutes after a workout is a real salvation for the body and a powerful boost of energy. Cryotherapy has a positive effect on the immune system, improves lymph circulation, accelerates metabolism, increases collagen production, and tones the skin. And stretching is necessary for every athlete to maintain joint mobility, prevent injuries, and improve punching technique. Overall, our goal is not just to provide gym-goers with a gym but to become an important part of their lifestyle. Therefore, we strive to anticipate the needs of each club member, know their personal schedule and training preferences, so that the sessions bring the most comfortable and effective experience.
Today, Mayweather Boxing & Fitness in Dubai is a friendly international community uniting people from all over the world. We have representatives from Russia, the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Serbia, Colombia, and many other countries working and training with us. Notably, boxing is also popular among the local population — our male clients from the UAE gladly attend classes and appreciate the variety and intensity of the workouts. Unfortunately, due to cultural peculiarities, we cannot yet offer mixed classes for men and women from the Emirates, but we try to find solutions for family visits to the club as well. In general, the multiculturalism of our community reflects the very essence of Dubai as a global city where boundaries are blurred, and amazing collaborations are born. Despite the difference in mentalities, our team and clients get along well with each other because we are all united by a love for sports, boxing, and the desire to become the best version of ourselves.
Managing such a multifaceted team, where each employee has their own cultural code, is an interesting challenge. Here, it is important to show empathy, find an individual approach to each person, and consider cultural nuances. For example, a gesture that seems friendly to an American may be unacceptable when communicating with a representative of Arab culture. How you communicate, how you maintain distance, how you show care and attention to the client depends very much on origin and cultural background. Therefore, it is so important to me that our entire team shares the values of mutual respect, openness, and empathy. Even perfect knowledge of sports techniques will not make a coach successful if they cannot build a trusting communication with the client. That is why we regularly conduct training sessions on the development of communication skills so that each employee knows how to properly build relationships with colleagues and clients, being sensitive to their needs and desires.
Another important aspect of our work is cooperation with corporate clients. Recently, group training sessions for company employees have been gaining popularity. This is an excellent team building and anti-stress activity that helps people come together, get to know each other better in an informal setting, and then solve work tasks more effectively. Corporate boxing is a special training format that we adapt to the tasks and specifics of each company. Sometimes we divide employees into teams and arrange fun competitions; sometimes we focus on the individual work of each person on their physical fitness and mental attitudes. But the main thing is the indescribable energy and drive that reign in such training sessions. Looking at the delight and motivation that boxing classes give people, I am convinced every time that we have chosen the right direction!
Of course, the path of an entrepreneur in Dubai is not without difficulties. The local market is very competitive, with the best global chains of fitness clubs and studios represented here. To stand out, you need to constantly work on the quality of your services and client service. Dubai is a metropolis with a population of over 3 million people, and everyone has very different requests. Someone needs tough, intensive training for results; someone needs softer, health-improving formats. It is important to be able to find a balance and adapt to the needs of the audience while maintaining your uniqueness and not diluting the concept. Another challenge is the rather strict laws in the field of advertising and promotion of services. It is necessary to very carefully study all the rules and restrictions in order not to accidentally violate the law and not incur large fines. It is important to always keep an open mind here, be ready to learn new things, and adapt to constantly changing conditions. Business in Dubai is built around people and the ability to anticipate their desires and solve their problems. My main principle is never to stand still, to look for opportunities for growth, and to implement the best practices that will be useful to our clients.
Plans for the future include further development of the Mayweather Boxing & Fitness network in the Emirates and improvement of the programmes and services we offer. I believe that this project has great prospects because boxing is not just a sport but a lifestyle, a philosophy that makes people stronger and more confident. We want every member of our club to feel like a winner, a champion in life. In addition, I plan to launch new projects in the agricultural sector and education. I, in particular, I am already negotiating with the Higher School of Economics about opening a branch in Abu Dhabi. I have extensive experience in various industries — from chocolate production in France to the greenhouse business in Russia and turkey breeding. Now I am interested in applying my expertise in agriculture here in the Emirates. This can be both the export of products and the creation of production complexes on the territory of the UAE. As for education, I am convinced that the Russian education system can be very much in demand and useful in the Emirates. We have enormous scientific potential, the strongest schools in mathematics, physics, programming, and natural sciences. And I want as many people as possible to have access to this knowledge, wherever they are. Cooperation between Russia and the UAE in the field of education can become a powerful driver for the development of innovation and progress for both countries.
In conclusion, I want to say that my main credo in life and business is "Dream big, work hard, and make your plans a reality." Only by doingacting can you achieve results and get closer to your goals.
Every day is a new round in the battle with life. It doesn't matter how many times you've fallen; what matters is how many times you've gotten back up. It's in the struggle with oneself that a true champion is born. Never let fears and doubts stand in the way of your dreams. All great achievements start small, with the first step, the first strike. Don't give up, even when it seems like you have no strength left. For only those who go to the end are victorious. Believe in yourself, work hard, and your dreams will become reality.
Boxing teaches us the most important lesson: a winner is not someone who never falls, but someone who always gets back up.
