Palatine boxing gym plan to go before village council

A plan to double the size of RUMI MAKI Boxing & Martial Arts, a popular Palatine boxing, martial arts and fitness training gym, will go before the village council next week.

Pedro Calla, the gym's owner, said about 120 people train at the gym's current location, 2070 N. Rand Road.

"We are looking for something with a little more space and better facilities for the clients," Calla said. "We don't have locker rooms now."

If approved, this would be the second time Calla's business has outgrown its location since he founded it seven years ago. The gym initially operated out of World Gym in Palatine before moving to its current location in the Caputo's plaza.

The plan, which was recommended by the village's plan commission last month, would allow Calla to move his business about a quarter of a mile north to 2200 N. Rand Road.

According to village documents, the business would offer boot camp classes as well as classes in martial arts, boxing and cardio kickboxing.

Calla said the gym is also home to a boxing team that competes at tournaments around the area. Three boxers associated with the gym are now professional fighters, including Palatine High School alum Javier Rivera, he said.

Calla has professional experience as well. According to the gym's business plan, Calla started his boxing career at 15 in Peru, where he would eventually become the country's national champion for seven years straight in addition to serving as captain of the national team.