Exclusive: Interview with Boxing Manager and Hall of Famer, Jackie Kallen

Introduction

Jackie Kallen grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She is one of the first female boxing managers, who has been extraordinarily successful! Kallen is a pioneer in the boxing industry, due to being the first female fight promoter. She has devoted 45 years to the sport. This is astonishing, as she continues to empower and motivate women, especially in the sporting industry. 

Q & A

Fight Matrix: Tell us about your childhood and early life. How did you become involved in boxing?

Jackie Kallen: My childhood was very average.  Middle-class family, younger brother, brought up in Detroit.  My parents divorced when I was a teenager and both remarried.  I discovered writing when I was 9 years old and decided on journalism as my career. I started interviewing people at age 13 and never stopped. I interviewed actors, singers, athletes, politicians, etc.,and met everyone from Elvis to Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson to Cher.

Boxing came into my life at the age of 32,  I went to interview a young boxer named Thomas Hearns and went on to become a boxing writer, boxing publicist, boxing manager and boxing promoter.

 

FM: Your story is narrated in the 2004 biopic film, Against The Ropes. How accurately does this movie portray your personality and career? 

JK: Not very accurate at all.  They changed a lot of the details.  They made my character single and from Cleveland.  I was in truth married and from Detroit. Most of the scenarios were fabricated as well, they portrayed me as a bit more conceited and self-absorbed but that’s Hollywood.  They have a habit of embellishing.

 

FM: How did you feel about the film’s critical reception? It was rated 3 stars out of 4 by Roger Ebert – that’s pretty impressive.

JK: I was glad that people (especially females) could relate to the story and enjoyed end embraced the message.

 

FM: Who inspired you more than anyone else to have a career in the boxing industry? 

JK: The late trainer Emanuel Steward,  He was wonderful and taught me everything about this sport. He never mentioned my gender and treated me the same as the men in the business.

 

FM: In the 1970’s you were a reporter and interviewed quite a variety of interesting celebrities. Tell us your favorite story from your days as a reporter?

JK: There are so many memorable moments and experiences.  Meeting Elvis was a highlight as was the first time I met Sylvester Stallone.  I had been a big Rocky fan and meeting him was a goal of mine.  I finally met him in Las Vegas at a big championship fight and I never dreamed that we’d become friends and end up doing the TV show “The Contender” together. He’s my favorite celebrity.

 

FM: Upon becoming Tommy ‘Hitman’ Hearns’ publicist, the two of you seem to have formed a life-long friendship. Will you tell me about your relationship with Tommy Hearns?

JK: When I first met Tommy, he was a 20 year old kid.  He was winning all his fights and I interviewed him for an article.  I soon became his publicist and a lifetime friendship was forged.  It’s been 46 years and he’s been long-retired.  But we still see each often.  We go to fights and charity events together and celebrate birthdays and holidays together. Our families are close and I consider him one of my best friends.  I was at all the fights—the wins and the losses—and through it all, our friendship has thrived and grown.  

 

FM: You are a pioneer and known as the first female fight promoter. How do you feel about this?

JK: I consider it to be quite an honor.  I was recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and it was surreal moment.  I love the sport and each and every award and trophy that I’ve received is very special to me. I hope that I’ve inspired other women (and other minorities) to take risks and walk down undiscovered paths. The only person who can stop you is YOU.

 

FM: You seem to be very opinionated and a secure person. How did those attributes affect your career as a boxing manager?

JK: I was fortunate to be born with a lot of self-confidence and no degree of shyness or insecurity.  That has been a blessing because I am fairly fearless and have never been afraid to fail. I set goals and then set out to accomplish them.  If I fall short, I regroup and start again. When you are responsible for another person’s career and livelihood, you have to feel comfortable with your own judgment and decisions,  I’m very even-keeled which helps a great deal when I’m negotiating.

 

FM: Do you feel that being a Jewish woman held you back in the sport, or motivated you to succeed more?

JK: I don’t feel that it had any effect at all. Being a minority myself, I’ve always identified with and gotten along with everyone—regardless of their background. I treat everyone the same and I expect the same from the people around me. I am who I am—a proud Jewish woman.

 

FM: How did you feel initially working in a primarily male dominated industry?

JK: It was easy for me.  I only had a brother.  My father was one of three brothers.  My husband was one of four brothers.  I had two sons. I have been surrounded by men all my life.  I think like a man in many ways and I have always found them very easy to be around. Many of my lifetime friends are men.  No jealousy, no competitiveness, just refreshing connections.

 

FM: You seem to care a great deal about the fighters you managed and the ones that you have promoted. What went through your head the first time your boxer won a bout?

JK: It was so exhilarating.  I have always felt loving and protective of the many boxers whose careers I’ve guided. Their wins are my wins and their losses are mine.  We’re a family. I’m proud to say that I stay in touch with almost every boxer I’ve ever worked with. We get together often and support each other to this day.  Several of them came to NY when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame. They are my lifetime besties.

 

FM: Are you a fan of MMA at all? What are your thoughts on that sport?

JK: I like it and have promoted many MMA fights,  but boxing is still my #1 passion.

 

FM: When you became a manager for your first boxer, what was resonating in your mind at the time?

JK: I just hoped that I’d do a respectable job and make them proud that they chose me. I wanted to make the right decisions and prove to people that a woman could successfully manage a professional fighter.

 

FM: Initially, due to being a female, men didn’t seem to take you seriously. How did that make you feel? 

JK: It made me realize that I had to prove them wrong.  I had to retain my femininity, I couldn’t try to be “one of the boys.” I had to develop a thick skin and ignore the innuendos and criticisms. I believed I could do the job, so I just plowed ahead.

 

FM: Has the boxing industry changed much with regard to women being accepted as managers and promoters? 

JK: I hope so.  It’s almost a half-century since I got into the sport.  You’d think things have changed by now. Bur there are still only a handful of women managing boxers.

 

FM: In Against the Ropes, Jackie’s character was asked by her father’s friend what she wanted to do when she grew up. She answered that she wanted to “kick butt and break hearts”, and it seems you succeeded in your ventures. Do you feel fulfilled with the impact you had on the boxing industry?

JK: Very much so.  I accomplished what no other woman has ever done and no one can take that away from me.

 

FM: Do you have any hidden talents?

JK: I wish I could say that I was a great singer or a championship skier, but I really don’t have any hidden talents.  My friends always tell me that I should have been a therapist or a life coach so maybe I’m good at helping people navigate problems and enjoy their lives a bit more.

 

FM: In 2024, you were inducted into the International boxing Hall of Fame. This is well deserved. Looking back, how do you feel about your career in boxing?

JK: I’m extremely proud and humbled.  I walked down a path that was unknown and I forged my way to the top of my sport. That makes me very happy.

 

FM: Is boxing still dominated by men, as much as when you first became a manager?

JK: Absolutely.

 

FM: What are your favorite culinary dishes?

JK: I am a sucker for carbs.  Bread and potatoes.  Nothing fancy,  Just those yummy starches.

 

FM: Of all the boxers you’ve managed, who was your favorite to work with, and why?

JK: I can’t pick a favorite.  They were all my favorites in different ways at different times.  

 

FM: Is there anything else you would like your fans to know about you?

JK: I love motivational speaking,  Any time I can get out and address a crowd, I love it,  I also love discovering new talent.  When I find a new prospect, that old enthusiasm comes flooding back.

Conclusion

Jackie Kallen appears to have remained tough, focused, and basically knows everything about boxing. In 2024, Kallen was deservedly inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. She opened up the doors and made it possible for other women to be successful in the boxing industry.

Nowadays, there are successful female boxers globally. For example, Claressa Shields, is the number one pound for pound female boxer in the world. Coincidentally, she is also from Michigan. There are more women involved in boxing and the popularity of women athletes in combat sports has exploded. Jackie Kallen was a major factor in these developments.