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Brisbane-based boxing franchise UBX has announced its eighth international expansion with 18 locations planned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), adding to an existing 100-plus gyms globally and hot on the heels of its recent campaign launch "Boxing is for Everyone" with adidas.
The company has appointed Mohsan Bari as the master franchisor for UBX UAE with initial sites being sourced in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
"In recent years, the Middle East has become a hotspot for combat sports, and the UAE's enthusiasm for boxing makes it the perfect next step for UBX as interest in the sport is followed by participation," says UBX co-founder and managing director Tim West.
"We're bringing our unique combination of boxing and strength training to a market that truly values fitness and innovation. I have no doubt that UBX will become a staple in the UAE fitness scene," says West, a two-time Brisbane Young Entrepreneur Awards winner in the Fitness category.
The latest expansion takes the brand's contracted locations to more than 600 after successful entries into Japan, the US, the UK and Ireland over the past year, adding to its established markets in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
In April the group's UK and Ireland master franchise team launched the seventh location in the market, with another three entering pre-sale with openings due by the end of this year.
Just a month earlier in March, a further four sites were announced for Japan, taking the market's UBX gym count to seven for an entry that was officially announced in February last year with the first three locations opened across Tokyo in September.
In June last year the brand opened its first USA location in Larchmont, New York, welcoming more than 200 members and over 2,400 visits in it’s first three months of operation.
Four-time World Champion Boxer and UBX co-founder Danny Green says that based on growing demand and the proven success of the model, he knows UBX will thrive in the UAE market.
"The UAE's love for boxing is undeniable, and I can't wait to see UBX become a part of that," he says.
"The energy and enthusiasm in this region are exactly what makes our concept thrive. Boxing is not just about the physical workout; it's about building mental resilience and community."
UAE master franchisor Mohsan Bari says he is honoured to lead UBX's expansion into the the region.
"The region's vibrant fitness community and the increasing popularity of combat sports make this the perfect time for UBX to enter the market," he says.
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