By: Sean Crose
“This is an interesting event,” Jackie Kallen told me. “It will be very interesting and different.” Anyone who knows the world of fighting knows Kallen, the Detroit native whose success as a senior boxing executive has made her a very powerful woman in what was – and still is – was very much male dominated. Whether it’s James Toney’s career guide or starring in Mark Burnett’s “The Contenders” series, Kallen has always been smitten.
For now, that passion is centered on “Ice Wars,” an endeavor Kallen describes as “hockey games without a hockey game.” In other words, hockey players in full uniform will perform as they did on the famous ice rink – only this time the players will not interrupt the game – they will be the main attraction. . “As a boxing purist, it didn’t seem like I wanted to do something as unconventional as this,” Kallen said. However, the famous manager is also a fan of hockey, a fact proven by the conversation of her children and grandchildren.
“My kids played hockey growing up,” she told me, “and my grandchildren play hockey now.” Although Kallen’s hometown Detroit is known for being home to the famous Red Wings of NHL, “Ice Wars” will initially take place at the River Cree Resort and Casino outside Edmonton, Canada – hockey country if any. “It’s an eight-man heavyweight tournament,” Kallen said. The rules are simple, fighters will participate fully equipped with “4-ounce MMA gloves.” Furthermore, there will be “two one-minute halves each.” Boxers wouldn’t be able to use some of the more obvious weapons one might think of when thinking about hockey. “Of course they can’t use sticks,” Kallen told me.
While hockey fans can certainly enjoy watching, Kallen makes it clear that boxing fans are sure to enjoy the process. “We want the boxers to see it,” Kallen said of the May 21 opening card.” Sure, fans will be able to watch the process unfold through Fite. After decades in the business, Kallen, who is still managing up and coming young boxers like the ultralight Myquan Williams, is clearly eager to join this new endeavor. “We were looking for it to be something fun,” For those who love boxing and an old-fashioned hockey game, Ice Wars could actually be a thing.
