Sparbar, Inc., the North American distributor and IP licensee of the UK-created SPARBAR®-brand boxing and fitness equipment, officially announces the collaboration with multiple Grammy Award®-winning record producer, rapper and songwriter Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who joins the company as the newest member of its Advisory Committee.
Sparbar, Inc. (“Company”) raises the bar yet again for boxing as a movement by working closely with the music and entertainment industry to spread the lifestyle behind the sport. Rodney Jerkins joins the team as a formidable musical force, with a track record of working alongside the biggest names in the pop industry including the Spice Girls, Sam Smith, Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Beyoncé and Lady Gaga, to name but a few.
Sparbar CEO Jasvinder “Jazz” Gill, commented on Jerkins appointment: “Rodney’s achievements in the music industry are the epitome of excellence, and we’re proud to have him aligned with Sparbar as a company and brand. The Company is grateful to Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame founder and our corporate advisor Ray McCline for his pivotal role bringing Mr. Jerkins to our team. We have incredible advisors at Sparbar – real superstars advising us- which makes for exciting times ahead!”
Jerkins is a big fan of boxing matches and has enjoyed boxing since he was a kid. Together with his father he watched Larry Holmes, then followed the Tyson era and then expanded his passion to fighters from different weight classes. Later in life and through his extraordinary career he was able to meet his heroes and today he counts boxing legends like Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones Jr. and Tyson among his close friends. “Boxing is the one sport that just accelerates me in whatever my goals are,” Jerkins says.
Jerkins turned to boxing as a workout back in 1999, with none other than Mike Tyson as a coach. “I was nominated for the Grammys for ‘Say my name’ – I remember I called Tyson and told him I need to lose weight, and asked him to train me. He then trained me for 40 days straight.” The two of them went into a camp, and Tyson would knock on Jerkins’ door every day at 4am to start the first of three daily training sessions. “He taught me so much about discipline. That time with Mike was a real blessing for me,” the producer says.
The virtuoso looks back at 25 successful years in the music industry. About the strong connection between boxers and musicians he says: “In both disciplines, each step is first executed mentally. The goal is to own the overall momentum of the dynamics.”
Jerkins is a strong advocate of boxing for kids, and teaches his son about the importance of being able to adjust quickly in life through boxing. “Attributes you learn in boxing translate to life. For kids, the sport helps them to be self-motivated. Motivation is what you need in life in order to conquer,” he says and adds: “Nobody wants to get up early in the morning. The ones that do are success-driven, they understand that they are ahead of the game.”
There were always times when boxing had something grubby and the vibe of back alley brawling resonated. But especially for kids from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, boxing has always meant one thing: the fight to rise from the gutter of insignificance – up into the lives of the rich and beautiful. The SPARBAR® team recognizes the need to remain true to this tradition of sport. Their kids & youth talent support programs proof that the local boxing gyms provide the accepting environment needed to bring out the best in everyone. “We’re thrilled for our kids and youth talents to connect them with their heros. Jerkins is a masterful role model to teach the singular focus needed to succeed in life,” Jazz says.
Every fighter needs a powerful entrance song, and every workout needs an empowering playlist. Jerkins has delivered and continues to produce the finest musicality to every punch per minute. As the team builds the SPARBAR® brand with entertainment around the mission of making boxing accessible to everyone, Jerkins is the top addition to this powerhouse.
