International Boxing Hall Of Fame

Born Jacqueline Kaplan on April 23, 1946 in Detroit, MI.

 

With a background in entertainment and rock music journalism, she joined the famed Kronk Boxing Club as its publicist in 1978. Among the young boxers she was tasked with promoting was Thomas Hearns. In addition to the “Hitman,” she also worked with Milton McCrory, Duane Thomas and Hilmer Kenty before making her managerial debut in 1988 with heavyweight Bobby Hitz. Kallen then signed on to manage a young middleweight named James Toney and expertly guided him to two world championships. She also managed junior middleweight champion Bronco McKart and featherweight champion Tom “Boom Boom” Johnson. During her career she also served as commissioner of the International Female Boxing Association (IFBA) and was cast on the hit NBC reality show The Contender. Highly regarded for her business acumen and ability to maneuver boxers to great success, Kallen’s life story was told in the major motion picture Against the Ropes starring Meg Ryan.

 

Still active, she presently manages Mykquan Williams and Sam Rizzo among others.