Rachel Charles on to better endeavors
From the drizzle and clouds of England to the sunshine of Woodland Hills, California, life has been nothing if not adventurous for boxing publicist Rachel Charles.
She grew up in, shall we say, an “affordable” neighborhood – the Chelmsley-Wood council estate in Birmingham, England. She was a young mom with a toddler by age 17. Through a connection to musician Neil Diamond (from her California-based father), she found a chance to leave the rain of London and found her way to the sun and surf of Southern California after walking down the aisle with Diamond percussionist Vince Charles.
The marriage (the “Diamond Life” as she called it) didn’t take, but life in California sure did, and Rachel Charles has been here for 3-plus decades now.
Oh yeah, fun fact – she used to date Stevie Wonder.
A person with a resume like this could only land in the crazy world that is boxing – and that she did. After a friend introduced her to (unknown to her at the time, champion James Toney), she found herself in the office of his late promoter, Dan Goosen.
With a smile, charm, and a never-say-die work ethic, Charles found herself being allowed to start working in a public relations role. A natural salesperson and quick understudy, she learned about fights, fighters, and how to promote both. She devoured the world of boxing PR, and 30 years later, the rest is history.
From Los Angeles’ “Sheer Sports Management”, Dan Goosen’s “Goosen-Tutor Promotions”, to (New York-based) Joe DeGuardia’s “Star Boxing”, and much more, Charles has done a lot of publicity for a lot of pugilists.
With a long list of champion clients and contenders, Charles established herself as the go-to gal if you want to get the word out about your fighter. From an unknown boxer from a foreign market looking to break in North America, to an established star, Charles has seen and worked with them all.
I have had the pleasure of covering many of her fighters over the years, and she was always so gracious, thanking me for “taking care of my lads”.
Now, the baby she had at 17 is all grown up with 2 beautiful children of her own. Charles, a loving grandmother, is heading into a new venture.
In a recent conversation, she updated me on what was happening.
“At the end of March, I’m heading to Carpentaria, near Santa Barbara”, she said. “I have a new job as an estate manager”.
Asked if she is going to miss the sport that has been her life for years, she replied, “Well, I’ll miss some of the people. But my time is done and I am glad to move forward”.
Charles knows the struggle of the underdog better than anyone. As a result, one of the greatest joys she has had in her boxing life is being able to make a break for an aspiring fighter. She loved being part of the team that might catch an opportunity for a young hopeful and change their life. That compassion and altruistic agenda were always at the top of her career goals.
Another project that she is currently undertaking is a program with a friend who owns a company that makes suits. For each suit sold, they will donate a brand-new suit to a graduate. They are currently working with Roosevelt High School in the Boyle Heights district of East Los Angeles.
“Yes, we’re in LA right now, but we plan to take it nation-wide”, she said. “We are currently planning a huge assembly to kick it off, and we have the support and backing of LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell,” she continued.
This type of energy and drive to support people who need a break is the platform from which Charles has operated in her time in boxing, and the sport is better for it.
Boxing is in a new era, and it seems the landscape is certainly different these days. Charles felt it was time for a change.
“This new project is definitely rewarding”, she said. “I want my life to be of service to under-served people”, she said.
Rachel, on behalf of the boxing industry, thank you for your commitment to your fighters, the sport, and for fighting as hard for “your lads” out of the ring as they did in it.