Talking Boxing with JACKIE KALLEN
"Everybody involved with 'The Contender' is very excited"
by
Julius Stecker
2/18 - The production has completed. The editing is going on as you read through this interview and no one out there is more excitied about NBC's new reality show "The Contender" than
Jackie Kallen. Kallen, who has managed the careers of many boxing stars through the years, assisted in the development of the 16 contestants on 'The Contender' and makes it clear the deviation from the previous attempt at a boxing reality show. "There are a lot of differences. This show has the influence of Sylvester Stallone, and he is just electrifying," said Kallen, who appears in the 14 episodes. "Another reason is the quality of our fighters, they are so much better, and the production is first class." Kallen's role might be the most important on the show. "I am like the mother figure. I did a lot of listening to the fighters." Kallen continued, "it was easier for them to drop their machismo pose and tell me how they really felt." Read on for much more with Jackie Kallen!
JACKIE KALLEN
Julius Stecker: How has everything been since we last spoke?
Jackie Kallen: It has pretty much been the same. I am a
grandmother, and I am pretty settled here in Los
Angeles right now.
Julius Stecker: This time last year your movie Against the Ropes
was in Theatres, what was your take on the success of
the movie?
Jackie Kallen: I thought it came out quite well. It came out
the same time against The Passion on the Christ, so
that was tough. But I felt it was really good and it
was well done.
Julius Stecker: Right now you are involved in the upcoming NBC
reality show the Contender, what are you expecting
from the show?
Jackie Kallen: I am really excited about it; I think it is going
to regenerate interest in the sport. They did a great
job of picking quality fighters. And they are not
only excellent fighters; they are great guys as well.
It was so great because these were the sweetest bunch
of guys.
"I think it is going
to regenerate interest in the sport"
Julius Stecker: For skeptics out there who will ask, what is the
difference between this show, and Oscar De La Hoya's
not so successful, The Next Great Champion?
Jackie Kallen: There are a lot of differences. This show has
the influence of Sylvester Stallone, and he is just
electrifying. Oscar is a nice guy, but he does not
have the same appeal or electrifying personality of
Stallone. Sly is just bigger then life.
Another reason is the quality of our fighters, they
are so much better, and the production is first class.
There was so much money put into the production of
this show, and the quality of the people surrounding
this show is amazing.
Julius Stecker: So what is your role with the show?
Jackie Kallen: I am like the mother figure. I did a lot of
listening to the fighters, like for instance if some
one were homesick. There was a whole lot of
testosterone, and a lot of times if anything came up
it would be hard for them to convey how they felt to
others around. But it was easier for them to drop
their machismo pose and tell me how they really felt.
I also handled the weigh-ins, so I could see who was
heavy at times, and who was not making weight.
Julius Stecker: What is your relationship with Sugar Ray Leonard
and Slyvester Stallone?
Jackie Kallen: I have known both of them for many years. I have
known Ray since 1978, and he is such a prince and a
great guy.
Sly is so down to earth, and such a good person.
Julius Stecker: What day does the show premiere on?
Jackie Kallen: March 7th on a Monday night, then after that it
will be on every Wednesday night.
Julius Stecker: You are a manager first and foremost; so tell me
about some of the fighters you are managing now?
Jackie Kallen: I have a kid right now Matt Remillard, and he is
a terrific kid. He trains beautifully and he has a
good head on his shoulders. He has tremendous
dedication. I am expecting big things from him. I
also managing Molly McConnell and she is also
excellent.
"Boxing has come back before and it
will come back again"
Julius Stecker: What is your take on the fight game today?
Jackie Kallen: I have such high hopes for it. Critics always
refer to the “Boxing Black Eye” and when a bad story comes out it is about “Boxing’s Black Eye.” But I am
familiar with the history of the sport; there were
times in the past when The Mob was controlling a lot
of the outcomes of fights. So there have always been
ups and downs. Boxing has come back before and it
will come back again.
With this new show there a lot of nice young men.
Young men who are great examples of what the sport of
boxing is all about. What the sport is truly like.
Julius Stecker: Moving on from Boxing, I’d imagine you are quite
busy on the Public Speaking circuit as of late.
Jackie Kallen: Oh I love it. I am going to be in Odessa, Texas,
Philly, Detroit, and also Phoenix in the coming weeks.
Julius Stecker: What about another book?
Jackie Kallen: I am working on one right now, and I am shooting
for next summer. But sometimes dates like that get
pushed back.
Julius Stecker: Jackie you have had great success in boxing, but
what in your mind stands out as your most successful
thing you have done?
Jackie Kallen: I would say being with James Toney for 6 years.
A lot of people said I would never make it and that
James was too difficult, but we made it work and we
were successful together.
Julius Stecker: What can boxing fans expect from Jackie Kallen,
and The Contender in 2005?
Jackie Kallen: From me expect a couple more fighters in the top
10 and another champion. Having another world
champion is something I will do.
For the show, I think it will do great things. And I
hope the public buys into it, so there will be a 2nd
season.
It is great to see 16 men who have dreams. They all
have different personalities and they bring a little
bit of everything to the table. Everybody involved
with this show is very excited.
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