By: William Holmes
Boxing has long been considered a “Man’s Sport”, but most educated boxing fans know that many women have greatly influenced the sport of boxing. Famed manager and fellow Boxing Insider contributor Jackie Kallen had a movie made based on her life as a successful manager. Kathy Duva runs one of the larger and most influential promotional companies in boxing. Even noted publicist Kelly Swanson is considered by many to be an influential player in the sport of boxing with a very impressive clientele list.
Philadelphia has their own young rising female star in Brittany Rogers of BAM Boxing Promotions and Peltz Boxing. You can see her ringside at many of the fights that are currently held in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. Boxing Insider recently had the opportunity to catch up with Brittany and ask her a few questions about her career and her future plans.
How old were you when you first got involved in the sport of boxing?
The first fight I ever worked was the Kennedy-Rodriguez fight in 2009 which was the weekend before my 21st birthday. Ironically I was working at the Blue Horizon with Vernoca Michael, and I was not with Peltz Boxing yet.
What made you decide to get into boxing?
Nothing exactly made me decide it. I had always been a big sports fan, mainly Hockey, baseball & boxing. I attended Temple University for Sports and Recreation Management and wanted to do sports marketing or something with recreation centers and inner city kids. I ended up talking with my trainer at one point in 2009 or 2010 and he said to me, why don’t you get involved with boxing.. and I have been ever since.
What boxers that you are currently involved with are you the most excited about?
Anthony Burgin 100%. Maybe it’s because I feel like I have known him forever. He was training at the Front Street Gym when I used to go in and hang out with my dad years ago. I am excited about Thomas LaManna, Nate Rivas, Jason Sosa, and Joey Dawejko as well! All for different reasons but if I had to pick one it would be Burgin for sure.
Who are some of the biggest influences in your career?
J Russell Peltz, Maureen Sacks & my parents, each for different reasons but these four people helped me figure out each step as I move forward.
What’s has been the highlight of your career so far?
The co-promotion I was involved with at Temple University’s McGonigle hall on Dec. 8th. It was an event with a great turn out.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
I will still be running club shows 5 to 10 years down the line. They are the events that build the fighters that make it to ‘mega fights’. I want to stay local in the Philadelphia/NJ area because this is where boxing history is built and there is no other city I would rather become a part of the history with. Everyone wants a TV deal and at some point I am sure it will happen but I am not one to say this is where I will be in 5 years or this is where I will be in 10. I just know that I will have accomplished a lot more than I already have and keep moving forward!
What has been your best memory in boxing at this point in your career?
Probably meeting Russell Peltz and finding out that he knew who I was before I spoke with him, ha! But in recent years? I would say, seeing Ray Robinson win the State title because he is a good friend of mine and knowing that I helped him accomplish winning his first belt was a good feeling. Seeing particular matches come off that I make is great also.
If you could change one thing about the sport, what would it be?
The idea of ‘promoters make all the money’ , especially on club shows. Or teach fighters, managers, and trainers in the Philly area that local match ups are the way to go. They are what built the extensive history in Philadelphia between the Old Arena in West Philly, the Blue Horizon, the Spectrum & so much more. Then extend that to promoters, fighters should fight close to home so that they are able to build a core fan base, that’s what is missing in this sport right now.
What are your thoughts on the current “cold war”?
It needs to end, and soon. Promoters only using their own fighters on networks they have contracts with, and only fighting their own fighters against one another does nothing for the sport. It is no different in any of the 4 major sports, there is an East and a West and in each one when the teams play other teams in their conferences/divisions the rivalries are better but without playing against each other there would be no real champion. Would it make sense in baseball if there was no world series, and only NL, AL champions? You would never figure out who the better team is. If Fighters have to fight, and fight each other, promoters have to learn to work together too.
What are your thoughts of Philadelphia as a fight city?
Philadelphia’s history is deep and going through old newspaper clippings and more I have realized that they have fought the same battles over the years and that is why is seems as though there are dry spells. The last 10 years in Philly boxing is becoming less and less especially the last 2 or 3. The term Philly Fighter is rarely being represented. Fighters like Meldrick Taylor, Jeff Chandler, Eugene Cyclone Hart, Bobby Watts, Willie ‘the worm’ Monroe, Bennie Briscoe, paved the way for today’s fighters to be proud of being from Philly. Without a strong venue the last couple years boxing in Philadelphia has been shaken up a bit, but it is about to be stirred up and bounce back as long as fighters, promoters, trainers and all those involved with the local scene are willing to take risks.
Anything else about you that you think our readers should know?
They can follow me on twitter/Instagram to keep up with what I am doing at @BAMRogers and my company @BAMBoxingInc on both as well to see what events are upcoming and who we are working with! Also, my next event is a co-promotion with Peltz Boxing on TUESDAY July 15 at the 2300 Arena in South Philly.