IN THE NEWS
| JACKIE KALLEN: “EVERYONE WONDERS IF AN MMA STAR COULD BEAT A BOXING STAR…LET’S FIND OUT!” |
| Jackie Kallen confident about Damien Fuller’s upcoming fight |
| LOS ANGELES – For the legendary promoter Jackie Kallen to be involved with a boxer, she has to see great potential in them. As an advisor for Damian Fuller, the “First Lady of Boxing,” Kallen said she is excited Fuller added to the card at Coushatta Casino July 14 in the “Shoot Out at Coushatta”. Fuller will be fighting Carlos Gamez for the NBA World Lightweight Championship. I have known Damian for 15 years or so,” Kallen said of her relationship with Fuller. “He is the consummate professional. He is always in the gym and he is always ready for whatever you put in front of him. “You never have to worry about Damian Fuller coming into a fight out of shape or slow. He is always really on top of his game, which is a wonderful trait in a fighter.” |
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| Jackie Kallen: A Boxing Pioneer |
| Jackie Kallen found a love for the sport of boxing late in her career as a newspaper reporter, and she used that initial spark to create a bonfire in her heart. All it took was her attendance at one four-round fight to inspire the legendary “First Lady of Boxing” to shift gears and become a publicist for fighters. That led her to take a few more steps up the ladder until she became one of the first women to break the ranks of tradition in the male-dominated management side of the sport. Watching that one fight (featuring Tommy “The Hit Man” Hearns at the beginning of what would be an incredible professional career) would lead Kallen to eventually leave the reporting behind… |
| Kallen still a contender |
| http://www.itv-boxing.com/News/Story_Page/0,14442,6243_1717258,00.html |
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When they made Jackie Kallen, they may well have broke the mould. In a business that thrives on lies, half truths and hyperbole, she is refreshingly different. Kallen came from nowhere to become the first female to manage a world champion when she guided James Toney to the middleweight crown in the late 1980s. She remains active in the sport today but is also a highly sought-after motivational speaker in the United States. She may now be a grandmother, but shows no signs of slowing down. Derek Bilton caught up with her to discuss her boxing past and her hopes and dreams for the future. ITV: I know you have been involved in boxing for a lot of years now but am I right in thinking that you actually started out as a journalist? JK: Yes. I was a journalist for over 25 years. Started in high school. I interviewed celebrities, and then athletes as well, for over two decades. Covered the Oscars, Grammies, Emmies, etc. |
| Boxing program tries to put youngsters on a better path(Daily Breeze) |
| A Closer Look at Upcoming Prospect Matt Remillard (Ringside Report) |
| Jackie Kallen: Another Uphill Climb (Boxing in Las Vegas) |
| BoxingScene Exclusive, Jackie Kallen Interview |
| Posted by: George M. Phillips on 08-20-2005. |
| There was a time when the business side of boxing was dominated by men, one woman changed everything. One of more recognizable women in the boxing business, Jackie Kallen, was the managerial force behind a young James Toney and played a big part in the highly publicized boxing reality series “The Contender”.
The journey of Kallen was such an inspiration that a major motion picture was released on her life story. The movie, Against The Ropes, stared Meg Ryan and Omar Epps. BoxingScene’s George M. Phillips sat down with Kallen to talk about her life, her influences and her current involvement in the boxing business.BoxingScene.com: When did your career in boxing begin? Jackie Kallen: In 1978, as a writer for a daily newspaper in the Detroit area. I went to interview a young boxer named Thomas Hearns and I ended up going to work for him as his publicist. I actually handled the entire Kronk Boxing Team for ten years. Then, in 1988, I decided to try my hand at managing fighters. BoxingScene.com: Have you always been a boxing fan? Jackie Kallen: I have always enjoyed boxing. My grandmother was a teacher and Joe Louis was one of her students. That made a big impression on me when I was young. BoxingScene.com: What are your thoughts on women’s boxing? Jackie Kallen: I like women’s boxing a lot. I manage two females (Molly McConnell and Demi Nguyen) and I was once commissioner for the IFBA. BoxingScene.com: What are your thoughts on all the various sanctioning bodies? Jackie Kallen: Has it tainted the sport? Definitely. Too many champions in every weight class. It’s gets confusing and diminishes the value of owning a belt. BoxingScene.com: What are your hobbies, interest outside of the squared circle? Jackie Kallen: I do a lot of charity work with battered and abused women. I work with the Sheriff’s Department to set up boxing programs in the inner city and I love to read, knit and write (when I have time). BoxingScene.com: The movie “Against The Ropes” was based on your life story, how accurate was the movie compared to your life? Jackie Kallen: Not very accurate. The theme and the message of the story was true to me–but I was actually married with children–not single and childless (as the movie portrayed). BoxingScene.com: As you know, I was hooked on “The Contender”, obviously all of the men on the show had boxing talent. Whom do you think, if any, will obtain a legitimate title shot? Jackie Kallen: I would like to see Sergio Mora get a title shot. I also believe that Alfonso Gomez will win a title at 147 or 154. Ishe Smith is capable of winning a belt and so is Peter Manfredo. Even Jesse Brinkley has a good shot at a world title. BoxingScene.com: Will there be a 2nd season of “The Contender”? Jackie Kallen: Yes. On ESPN. BoxingScene.com: Tell us about your current stable of fighters? Jackie Kallen: Matt Remillard, a 4-0 featherweight. Eddie Tice, a 3-0 welterweight. Molly McConnell, a 4-1 junior welterweight. Demi Nguyen, a young 0-0 middleweight. I am in the midst of signing 18-1 light heavyweight Rico Hoye. I’m excited about that! BoxingScene.com: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans? Jackie Kallen: I want to thank everyone for their continued interest in our sport. Though boxing has seen some tough times and the popularity is not what it’s been in the past–it will come back. We have to make it a better, more interesting and honest sport and the fans will return. |
| More News: |
| Jackie Kallen: Still A Contender (East Side Boxing) |