By Jeff Zimmerman
The legendary boxing manager Jackie Kallen shared her excitement of getting the call for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame this June in Canastota, NY. She joins her world champ, the great James “Lights Out” Toney who was part of the 2022 class. Kallen talked about her journey from entertainment reporter to boxing publicist at the famed Kronk Gym under the tutelage of the late, great trainer Emmanuel Steward where she met a young, up and coming fighter in Thomas Hearns for the first time. She also dove into the 4 Kings era of Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy “Hitman” Hearns, Roberto Duran and “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler and so much more in this Fightnews.com® exclusive.
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Truly one of a kind. Congrats to Jackie Kallen.
Jackie Kallen is deserving of the nod to Canastota but Teresa Tapia is equally, if not more so, as deserving for induction into the IBHOF for how she guided Johnny Tapia’s career in the late-90’s thru the early-2000’s. She arguably should’ve been the first female manager inductee.
although i agree that teresa should be there as well she is in NO way more derseving Jackie Kallen has one way more in boxing for the sport as a whole and multiple fighters, trainers, managers, promotion etc waaaaaay more so congrats jackie kallen its long overdue
She did a great job with the careers of Toney and Hearns. Not much since then. Don’t care for her to much if I must be honest.
Good for her