Kallen was raised in a middle-class Jewish family in Detroit, Michigan, United States.[4]
Career
A show business journalist for a magazine in the 1970s, Kallen interviewed the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and countless others. In 1977 she was assigned to interview a boxing prospect from the Kronk gym in Detroit, Michigan, Thomas Hearns. Kallen became fascinated with sports and began working as a sports journalist specializing in boxing.
Kallen spent a decade as Hearns' publicist as Hearns went on to face Sugar Ray Leonard in two championship fights. In the process she became well known around Detroit's boxing circles but met with sexism along the way.
Kallen made her managerial debut with heavyweight Bobby Hitz in 1988. She managed her first champion in 1991, James Toney knocking out Michael Nunn in eleven rounds to win the IBF world Middleweight title. Another Kallen fighter, Bronco McKart, won the WBO world Jr. Middleweight title in 1996.
Her business relationship with Toney was controversial but allowed her to gain celebrity among boxing's hard-core fans. She was featured in Ring and KO Magazine. Kallen referred to Toney many times as someone she loved like a son.
Kallen was diagnosed both with heart disease and cancer starting in the year 2000, but after multiple surgeries she recovered and is enjoying good health.
Kallen is the author of two books - "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "Between the Ropes". She is also the subject of Peter Mann's book "Against the Odds: The Jackie Story." Kallen makes appearances nationwide as a motivational speaker and currently lives in the Detroit area and manages three professional boxers, including Mykquan Williams and Sam Rizzo.
In December 2021, it was announced that Kallen is producing The Legend of Jack and Diane, a feature film described as a female-led revenge thriller directed by Bruce Bellocchi and starring Tom Sizemore, Lydia Zelmac, David Tomlinson, Robert LaSardo, and Carlo Mendez. Rick Geller is executive producer of the film. Filming began in Los Angeles on January 17, 2022 in Los Angeles.[5][6]
^D'Alessandro, Anthony (2021-12-14). "Tom Sizemore Joins Female Revenge Thriller 'The Legend Of Jack And Diane'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
^Grobar, Matt (2022-01-20). "Carlo Mendez Replaces Alvaro Orlando In 'The Legend Of Jack And Diane'; Wendie Malick To Star In Musical 'Mother Of All Shows'". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-01-23.
External links
January 31, 2023
jackie, kallen, this, biography, living, person, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, adding, reliable, sources, contentious, material, about, living, persons, that, unsourced, poorly, sourced, must, removed, immediately, especially, poten. This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification Please help by adding reliable sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately especially if potentially libelous or harmful Find sources Jackie Kallen news newspapers books scholar JSTOR August 2014 Learn how and when to remove this template message Jackie Kallen born Jackie Kaplan April 23 1946 is one of boxing s first and most successful female managers Her life was the inspiration for the 2004 film Against the Ropes starring Meg Ryan as Kallen 1 2 in which she had a brief speaking role as a reporter She also worked as a consultant for Mark Burnett s reality TV series The Contender 3 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditKallen was raised in a middle class Jewish family in Detroit Michigan United States 4 Career EditA show business journalist for a magazine in the 1970s Kallen interviewed the Rolling Stones Frank Sinatra Elvis Presley and countless others In 1977 she was assigned to interview a boxing prospect from the Kronk gym in Detroit Michigan Thomas Hearns Kallen became fascinated with sports and began working as a sports journalist specializing in boxing Kallen spent a decade as Hearns publicist as Hearns went on to face Sugar Ray Leonard in two championship fights In the process she became well known around Detroit s boxing circles but met with sexism along the way Kallen made her managerial debut with heavyweight Bobby Hitz in 1988 She managed her first champion in 1991 James Toney knocking out Michael Nunn in eleven rounds to win the IBF world Middleweight title Another Kallen fighter Bronco McKart won the WBO world Jr Middleweight title in 1996 Her business relationship with Toney was controversial but allowed her to gain celebrity among boxing s hard core fans She was featured in Ring and KO Magazine Kallen referred to Toney many times as someone she loved like a son Kallen was diagnosed both with heart disease and cancer starting in the year 2000 but after multiple surgeries she recovered and is enjoying good health Kallen is the author of two books Hit Me With Your Best Shot and Between the Ropes She is also the subject of Peter Mann s book Against the Odds The Jackie Story Kallen makes appearances nationwide as a motivational speaker and currently lives in the Detroit area and manages three professional boxers including Mykquan Williams and Sam Rizzo In December 2021 it was announced that Kallen is producing The Legend of Jack and Diane a feature film described as a female led revenge thriller directed by Bruce Bellocchi and starring Tom Sizemore Lydia Zelmac David Tomlinson Robert LaSardo and Carlo Mendez Rick Geller is executive producer of the film Filming began in Los Angeles on January 17 2022 in Los Angeles 5 6 Personal life EditJackie was married to Gary Kallen from 1966 1997 See also EditAileen EatonReferences Edit IMDB Against the Ropes Ebert Roger 2013 02 05 Roger Ebert s Movie Yearbook 2007 Andrews McMeel Publishing pp 4 ISBN 9780740792199 Retrieved 5 September 2014 Jackie Kallen joins NBC s The Contender as den mother for aspiring boxers Reality TV World Retrieved 2018 08 24 Jackie Kallen www jewishvirtuallibrary org Retrieved 2018 08 24 D Alessandro Anthony 2021 12 14 Tom Sizemore Joins Female Revenge Thriller The Legend Of Jack And Diane Deadline Retrieved 2022 01 23 Grobar Matt 2022 01 20 Carlo Mendez Replaces Alvaro Orlando In The Legend Of Jack And Diane Wendie Malick To Star In Musical Mother Of All Shows Deadline Retrieved 2022 01 23 External links EditEastSideBoxing Interview Moviehole Interview Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jackie Kallen amp oldid 1129105100, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
