Boxing gym in Elk Grove closes after eviction over thousands of dollars in unpaid rent

Mayweather Boxing and Fitness in Elk Grove has closed its doors after being evicted from a popular shopping center.

The gym studio located at The Ridge shopping plaza, 7470 Elk Grove Blvd., first opened in February 2022, according to its Facebook page.

According to Sacramento Superior Court documents, The Ridge filed a civil complaint in December alleging $30,672 in unpaid rent by Mayweather Boxing and Fitness, operated by a company known as TBE Fitness LLC. The court ruled in favor of The Ridge on May 3, and an eviction notice was sent May 8.

The entities agreed to a multiyear lease in April 2021, according to court documents, and the tenants agreed to pay $8,750 per month for the first four years, including rent plus other expenses and taxes.

TBE Fitness LLC made a $11,500 payment on Oct. 20, 2023, court documents say, but there was still a balance owed of nearly $7,300. The lease was defaulted when the tenant failed to pay rent in November and December. A three-day notice was sent Dec. 7, but the tenant never made the payments, according to court documents.

Pappas Investments senior vice president of leasing Kelly Rule said she could not comment on the status of Mayweather Boxing and Fitness or the eviction but confirmed the shopping center is now looking to fill the space. Pappas Investments owns The Ridge.

“We have 2,500 square feet available,” Rule said. “We’re looking for a retail tenant, non-food.”

The gym’s eviction was first reported Thursday by the Sacramento Business Journal.

The owner of the Elk Grove location, Sunny Dharni Jr., in email to The Sacramento Bee on Friday morning said the closure was an “incredibly difficult” decision.

“The challenges we have faced have been overwhelming, and the closure has been a source of great stress and sorrow for us,” Dharni said.

A gym member shared the news on Reddit on their way to a Monday class. They were shocked to find the doors locked, lights off and an empty gym. Another Reddit user replied saying that an email was sent to members on Sunday.

According to the email, Mayweather Boxing and Fitness Elk Grove owners said the gym’s closure is immediate.

“As we approach the end of May, we find ourselves faced with unforeseen circumstances that leave us no choice but to close our doors immediately. This decision was not made lightly, and it saddens us deeply to have to take this step,” owners said in the email, obtained by The Bee. “We believe that this is just a temporary setback and that the future holds brighter days for all of us. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been a part of our community.”

Multiple gym goers pointed out that another branch in the Sacramento area, the Delta Shores location, has also closed.

“I’m very sad,” a Reddit user wrote in the thread. “I just signed up for the gym 1.5 weeks ago. I’m trying to contact someone for a refund. I drove to the Delta Shores location and they are closed too. This is a sad sad situation. I was already seeing results and feeling so motivated.”

In the email to Elk Grove members, Mayweather Boxing and Fitness owners said all memberships will be canceled immediately and refunds or prorated amounts will be processed.

Mayweather Boxing in Folsom

Eric Landheer owns the Mayweather Boxing and Fitness location in Folsom. He said he purchased it from Dharni two months ago.

Landheer said that each studio is separately owned and he doesn’t know why the Elk Grove and Delta Shores locations closed.

“I haven’t been fully briefed on that myself,” Landheer said. “What I can tell you is that we’re fully committed here to staying open (in Folsom). I’ve been doing my best to build the business here.”

Landheer added: “Obviously (it’s) very disappointing and (I’m) saddened by the closing of the Elk Grove location, but in the same token, I’m fully committed to this place. Corporate continues to be very supportive of me, my efforts and this location. I can tell you that Mayweather is committed to continuing to build the business, and we’re certainly committed to building our business here.”