06.02.04 – By Fiona Manning: Jackie, thanks so much for your time. I know you are in the middle of ‘Hurricane Jackie’ doing PR all over the country so I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me. Against The Ropes finally comes out on February 20. I know it’s been in development for years. Be honest, did you think the day would come when you would wake up and see TV commercials every five minutes for YOUR movie?
Jackie Kallen: There was certainly a time when I wondered if it would ever actually happen. But I never lost faith. I think I always believed, in the back of my mind, that this movie would come out.
2. Thanks to you, I was lucky enough to see an advance screening of the movie. Frankly, I was mystified by the way you were portrayed. I know the movie says it is “inspired” by your story rather than “based on” however, knowing you as well as I do, I would not describe you as so ambitious and cutthroat. How do you feel about how Jackie Kallen emerges from this movie?
A: At first I was a bit startled but then I realized that there had to be a character arc for the movie to “work.” The character had to learn a lesson and then redeem herself. I look at the “big picture” and believe that it shows people that we can all make mistakes but it’s how we rebound from those that defines us as people. No one is perfect and it would have been misleading to portray the lead character as this “ideal” woman who does nothing wrong. But I agree that I was never like that in real life!
3. Initially Meg Ryan was doing interviews saying how Jackie Kallen would lie and do anything to get what she wants. She is making it clear now that she is talking about the screen character and not you – but how will the film audiences know the difference?
A: Good question. I’m not certain that they will unless they read interviews or see me on TV or hear me on a radio show. The people who know me are aware of who I am and what I am really like.
4. On a personal note, what was behind the decision to lose your real-life kids in the movie? The Jackie Kallen I know is all about her family and her friends. Honestly, you are there for everyone you know and love. The Jackie Kallen I know is incredibly giving and inspirational and supportive. You’ve roped us all into giving our time at a battered women’s shelter and you remember everyone’s birthdays and babies and boyfriends…the Jackie Kallen in the movie is nothing like that. Were your kids offended? Couldn’t they have been kept in – maybe away at school or something?
A: You are so right. I fought to keep my kids in the movie but the “powers-that-be” felt it complicated the story and added a subplot that they didn’t want. Go figure. I believe that in the future I will have a major outlet to show people the “real” me.
5. The movie is also extremely inaccurate historically. Why was the movie relocated from Detroit to Cleveland for example?
A: Decision was made by one of the Executive Producers and the Location people. That was another battle I fought–and lost. I am from Detroit and proud of it. Go figure. They went to Detroit to check it out and decided it didn’t work “photographically.”
6. Did you ever really buy a fighter for a buck and did you ever have to sign a fighter’s contract over to the mafia to secure him a world title shot?
A: No. I got my first fighter for no money at all and I bought out other contracts for other boxers. I never dealt with the “mob” at all. But I did lose certain fighters and I went to the new management to ask them to please be fair and treat my fighters fairly.
7. We’ve talked before about your relationship with James Toney whom you took to a world title fight. Despite the movie’s portrayal of this fight – well, the movie’s lack of portrayal of this fight actually, you took James to beat Michael Nunn on his home turf. What was that whole experience like? Was this a difficult fight for you as a woman to make?
A: The fight was in Davenport, Iowa and it was tough because we were 20-1 underdogs. 99% of the fans were there to see Michael Nunn beat James. But I always believed James would win. And he did.
7b. As you may know, Michael got 24 years last week for drug trafficking. Were you shocked?
A: I am never shocked when I hear these things but I am always saddened. It upsets me when people screw up that badly and waste the talent that God gave them.
8. Did fighters come out of the woodwork seeking representation after you took James to the championship?
A: You bet!
9. After a long “break-up” you and James briefly reuinted for that crazy fight in the Compton parking lot. How are things between you now?
A: I haven’t seen or spoken to James in years but he will always have a place in my heart. I was thrilled when he beat Jirov and Holyfield and I was also very upset to learn of his recent injury. I will always be here for James if he needs me.
10. Against The Ropes features a few real life boxing insiders. Syd Vanderpool and Shadeed Suluki were involved…however, the producers auditioned several real life boxers to play the lead which eventually went to actor Omar Epps. From what I understand even Floyd Mayweather junior auditioned. I thought he would be a charismatic actor perhaps – or did the fighters really not shine on camera?
A: Omar Epps trained with a boxing trainer for 6-8 weeks before filming and he did his own boxing scenes. The comments on that have been very favorable. He is a very chiseled man and also very athletic. I think it was better to use an actor than a boxer whose acting skills would have been very “green”.
11. Did Omar Epps ever talk to you about your fighters?
No. He worked with the director and the screenwriter.
12. Now the movie is coming out – do you expect fighters to seek your help again and are you in fact still looking for your next world champion?
A: Of course, Fiona! How wonderful would that be! I love this sport as much as you do and I would love to do it all again and take another hopeful contender all the way.
13. Which fighters are you still professionally associated with?
Right now I am working with a kid from Dearborn, MI named Mohamed Ali Diab. He is 6-1-1 and is a junior middleweight. He is only 19 years old, so he has a lot of work and years ahead of him. He’s a really nice young man and very marketable. Handsome like Oscar!
14. California has really been hit by a spate of very bad promoters including former fighter Lupe Aquino and his wife Jamie who wrote checks to everybody for their December 13 show in San Francisco on a closed bank account. The promotional bond had to be attached so the fighters could get paid – all of this has taken some months. As an advocate of a Federal Commission, do you think a national commission would ensure these types of situations could be avoided?
A: Absolutely! I have always advocated that and I still pray that someday we will have a national regulatory board for our sport. I was so depressed by the Aquino situation. I believe they tried hard to be good promoters but this is a tough business and sometimes everyone – fighters, promoters, etc – get left holding the bag. You have to have deep pockets and a back-up plan to make it in this business.
15. Last week, the California State Athletic Commission met and have decided they will increase the bond for promoters from $20,000 to $50,000. This effectively means we won’t see so many small shows but that hopefully the fighters will not have to worry about not getting paid. What are some of the other changes you would like to see happen in boxing?
A: Wow. That is a great and thought-provoking question. I think we need better training for the judges and referees. In some states they just buy a license and that’s that. I think we need more distinct separation between promoters and managers. Certain promoters “control” the managers of the fighters they have under contract. I think you know what I mean….
16. You were one of the original advocated and implementers for pregnancy testing in female fighters. How do you feel about the various commissions including ours which are dragging their feet on the issue?
A: This is such a simple and basic rule to implement. How hard is it to take a Home-Pregnancy test? It can save the life on an unborn fetus and that in itself is reason enough. How would it be if certain states did not require male boxers to wear protective cups?
17. I know you have made contact with Senator McCain regarding his hobby-horse of a Federal Commission – how has he responded?
A: Nope. Did he ever respond to you?
No, but he might listen to you now!
18. I know you are working on the Speaking Circuit talking to women’s groups. What sort of things do you talk to them about?
Self-esteem, assertiveness, health issues, making the most out of every day, developing a thick skin, etc. I LOVE doing these engagements!
19. If you had 20 seconds to give a young woman a pep talk, what would you tell her?
A: Believe in yourself. Do not let other people define who you are or what you stand for. Follow your own dreams even if others try to dissuade you. Don’t sweat the small stuff–if you can’t change something, don’t even think about it. Like yourself and don’t let the opinions of others change how you view yourself.
20. I know you have forged a friendship with actor Joe Cortese who played your boss on Against The Ropes. I know you are working on a TV series idea together. How is it coming along?
A: Right now everything has been put on the back burner in many areas until this film comes out. After that, I have several projects that I plan to throw myself into!
For questions or comments, email Fiona Manning at bondigirl@aol.com.