Evander Holyfield seals deal with Indian wellness firm
Evander Holyfield, riding the glory of more than twenty years in the ring, will soon extend his legacy to the streets of New Delhi.
The four-time heavyweight boxing champ will be bringing a series of gym complex plans, academies, equipment, health drinks, and his signature brand to the world's largest democracy.
Holyfield recently came to an agreement with a New Delhi wellness firm to launch three Gyms, six ‘fitness corners' and four boxing academies in Indian in the next three years.
He offered some rationale on the business venture.
“From what I hear is happening, young Indian boxers have started to do well on the world stage and started to gain the attention of the general audience,” Holyfield told The Economic Times.
Holyfield wishes to promote and bank in on a sport that has become increasingly popular in India and has potential.
Darpan Sanghvi of Sanghvi Brands, the majority partner in the venture, confirmed that the first gym opening date will be in April 2011. He also said that Holyfield will have a hand in everything, from
gym design and equipment selecting to choosing programs and employing staff.
Financially the company will be putting close to $11-million US on the table in the first three years. Gyms will open in New Dehli, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Farokh Balsara, a partner, said that the main challenges will include successfully selling Evander Holyfield as a brand, who is more popular in the United States but remains relatively unknown in India.
“He might be popular in the US, but in India, Evander Holyfield is not as popular a name, so the company will have to work on creating a brand name and establishing attributes upfront.”
Holyfield hopes to make a mark in light of recent successes by a number of Indian boxers including five-time women’s boxing champion MC Mary Kom and Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh.
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