By David Martinez / Boxing Historian
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
Shalifa and DaVarryl Williamson
Bruce Anderson and Kelsey Jeffries
DaVarryl Williamson and Kelsey Jeffries
David Martinez, Tom Moyer, Kelsey Jeffries
George and Joanne Chuvalo
Patrick Moyer, Rachel McCarthy, Ryan Pettey