By Ryan Songalia
It was about thirty years ago when Fate brought Jackie Kallen to the Kronk Gym for an interview with a young Thomas Hearns. In the time since, Kallen has made her mark as an author, a publicist, a manager of four world champions, and the inspiration for the movie Against The Ropes. Don't call it boxing's affirmative action. Call it hard work and dedication.
BoxingScene caught up with Jackie for a one-on-one discussion with the versatile Kallen.
BoxingScene: After thirty years in this business, how do you remain motivated as a manager?
Jackie Kallen: "What keeps me motivated is the influx of new, talented boxers. I am so excited about my current crop of pro fighters. Matt Remillard (11-0) is the most exciting featherweight I've seen in ages. Damian Fuller (30-4-1) has just signed with Don King and we are on our way to a world lightweight title. Karim Mayfield, a hard hitting welterweight (5-0-1), is the biggest banger in the 147 division right now. Reggie LaCrete, 4-0-1 Light Heavyweight, is going to make some loud noise in his division and Anthony Chavez, who is a 1-0 Junior Lightweight, was a superior amateur and hopefully he will be just as successful as a pro. My female boxer, Jeannine Garsde (7-0-1) is not just pretty, she's a killer in the ring. I'd put her up any female at 130. I am in the process of signing heavyweight prospect Theron Johnson and am looking at another good pro who is 140."
BoxingScene: When people think of assertive females in boxing, your name usually comes to mind. Do you feel that you've opened doors for women in boxing as a sort of trailblazer?
Kallen: "I hope that I have paved the way for other females who want to get into the business as managers, promoters, trainers, fighters or publicists. I love boxing and it has been very good to me. I encourage other women who love the sport to think about a career in boxing. It's not easy but it's a lot easier than it was 30 years ago."
BoxingScene: How do you feel about the way women handle themselves in a male dominated sport?
Kallen: "A woman with class and dignity will always be successful. I have always chosen not to swear, not to dress down, not to be a poor role model by drinking or smoking and to always be fair and kind in all my dealings."
BoxingScene: What do you have to say about the path James Toney's career has taken recently, with his weight issues and the steroid problems?
Kallen: "James Toney was my first world champion and I will always have a soft spot for him in my heart. I believe he is one of the greatest middleweights/super middleweights in the history of the sport. His choice to move up to heavyweight and his other problems would not be the path I would have chosen for him. But I wish him the best and hope that he retires with another belt around his waist."
BoxingScene: Do you think that had things worked out with Toney and you, his career could have been more productive?
Kallen: "Monday morning quarter-backing is a futile waste of time. In the back of my mind, though, I will always wish that James and I had stayed together after 1995. I may have done things a little differently than the path he took these past 12 years, but it's impossible to say that the outcome would have been different. I have my own thoughts on that, but that's all they are, thoughts."
BoxingScene: You've been very busy with charity work, including PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), battered womens shelters, and working with children. Has that work been fulfilling for you? Do you feel there is a big responsibility on boxers to give back to their communities?
Kallen: "I absolutely encourage everyone, not just athletes, to give back to the community. In my case, I do it because of the joy and satisfaction that I get from impacting someone's life in a positive way. Nothing feels better than helping someone out."
BoxingScene: You played a significant role in the first season of The Contender. What do you think of this season of The Contender? Do you have a pick?
Kallen: "To be honest, I haven't watched any of the shows this season. I have been traveling and for some reason I was never able to catch the show. I do love Sam Soliman, though. I was at his fight when he fought Winky Wright and he is a terrific and personable young man."
BoxingScene: One perspective I always found to be thought-provoking was, "If women ruled the world, there would be no wars." If you ruled boxing, what would you change? How do you feel you'd affect the current state of boxing?
Kallen: "If I ruled boxing, which I'd love to do if there was a national regulatory body, I would continue the safety practices that are in place, I would make all judges take nationally-regulated judging classes so that they would learn to all see a fight accurately. I would have a central clearing website that lists not only the boxers and their records, but how to reach them or their manager. That would make life a lot easier and more efficient for the matchmakers."
BoxingScene: On a last note, I wanted to give you the platform to get anything you had on your mind out there.
Kallen: "I am a huge fan of MMA as well as boxing and I am happy to see it growing in popularity. But I urge all boxing fans to stay loyal to our sport. I know it's a slightly different audience demographically, but boxing shows around the country are drawing smaller and smaller crowds and the MMA shows are raking in the fans and the money. Let's not allow boxing to die."
Any questions or comments? Send them to me at mc_rson@yahoo.com
