"THE INDOMITABLE JACKIE KALLEN TELLS HER STORY"

Why (and how) did a woman like me get into a male-dominated sport like boxing? Kind of by accident, actually.

I was a journalist for a daily newspaper outside Detroit, writing mostly celebrity profiles, back in the seventies. I decided that it might be fun to cover sports, which women weren't really doing then. My editor allowed me to do one sports profile a week.

In 1978, I heard of a young boxer named Thomas Hearns who was on a winning streak--7-0 with all knockouts. After going to one of his fights, I decided to interview him. It wasn't easy, because the 19 year-old was so shy that he barely spoke above a whisper. He had his mother Lois and his manager/trainer Emauel Steward with him. I took my time and wrote a very revealing look at a young fighter and his dreams.

The story got a lot of positive feedback so I next wrote one about Emanuel and his two boxers: Thomas Hearns and Mickey Goodwin. That one was followed by a profile of Goodwin. Having been thoroughly bit by the boxing bug, I persuaded my sports editor to start sending me to Las Vegas to cover the major fights.

While in Vegas, I would circulate my articles to the other media people, pumping up the Kronk Gym and their two hot prospects. Soon Emanuel hired me to develop press kits and press releases for his growing team of boxers. For the next ten years I worked hard to help establish the Kronk Boxing Team as a power to be reckoned with. I worked side by side with Thomas Hearns, as his personal assistant as well as the team publicist.

In 1988, it occurred to me that I might like to try my hand at managing. A young heavyweight from Chicago named Bobby Hitz came to Detroit to fight George Foreman. He didn't win the fight, but it turned out that he needed a manager. I decided to give it a shot.

Working with Bobby was a thrill for me and it gave me the opportunity to see other young prospects at the gym. That's how I found James Toney, Kenny Gould, Bronco McKart, and the many other talented young fighters that I managed.

Within three years, I had my first World Champion when James Toney knocked out Michael Nunn. I have been nominated twice for Manager of the Year and now there is a movie being made about my life called "Against the Ropes."

I now live in Los Angeles and currently manage Jose Celaya (147#), Glenn Donaire (111#), Nonito Donaire (115#), Bridgett Riley (118#) and I'm working again with James Toney. I still love the sport as much as I did in 1978 when I first saw YOUNG Tommy Hearns fight Rudy Barro at Olympia Stadium in Detroit.