“After The Last
Round”
By David Martinez / Boxing Historian www.dmboxing.com
(FEB 5) On January 29, 2009, the setting
was the Lobero Theater, site of the Santa Barbara International Film
Festival for the world premiere of the movie “After
The Last Round”.
There were several hundred people in attendance including acclaimed
movie director Ron Shelton. They were treated to director Ryan Pettey’s
eighty eight minute boxing documentary based on the careers of former
junior middleweight champion Denny Moyer and his brother Phil, who both
fought in the late fifties and into the late sixties with both
sustaining long term brain injuries.
Tom Moyer, a cousin to Denny and Phil, is the Executive producer and was
instrumental in putting together this project together.
I was first approached by Tom and his son Patrick and Ryan Pettey in
2006 about appearing in the film and I am just honored to have been able
to contribute.
There were an array of boxing experts and personalities throughout the
film, such as: Bert Sugar, Emanuel Stewart, Freddie Roach, former
Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo, Johnny Ortiz – former
radio host of “Ringside LA”, Alex Ramos and Jacquie Richardson with the
Retired Boxers Foundation, top heavyweight contender DaVarryl
Williamson, and current IFBA women’s champion Kelsey Jeffries. Also
highlighted into the film were a cast of doctors who added their
expertise.
Williamson’s wife Shalifa, and Jeffries manager Bruce Anderson were
simply positive and added wonderfully to the film.
In closing, I will say that the footage of Denny and Phil Moyer, later
in their lives, was some of the most touching that I have ever seen in a
boxing movie and put a tear in my eye.
To all that made this film possible - a job well done!
Throughout the event and even during the after party, the hospitality
from the Moyer family & director Ryan Pettey was nothing less than
spectacular, as was the movie “After The Last Round!”
David Martinez, Ron Shelton, Alex Ramos, Ryan Pettey
