After the Last Round

After the Last Round offers an unflinching look into the rarely-seen impact of boxing on its athletes. It showcases the numerous risks that boxers face every day simply by stepping into the ring. Director Ryan Pettey interviews both active and retired boxers, intimately sharing their stories of hardship and struggle to honestly portray the complexities of a sport adored by millions around the world.

The documentary presents a stark contrast between the glamour and popularity of boxing and its heartbreaking impact on both boxers and their families. For many of the featured athletes, their struggles as boxers, whether champions or less-successful combatants, mirror extremely difficult upbringings and dysfunctional family lives. This leads to both emotional and physical trauma that boxers frequently cope with throughout their careers, even as they are cheered on relentlessly by fans, managers, and promoters.

The film openly discusses the repercussions of brain damage linked to boxing, providing unsettling instances of ex-boxers grappling with the aftermath of physical and mental damage. It offers a revealing look into the darker aspects of the sport, focusing on the risks that boxers confront within the ring and the personal stories of those whose health has been adversely impacted by their involvement in the sport.

Through its insights, the documentary paints a complex picture of boxing, acknowledging its allure and rewards while also highlighting its significant hardships. By presenting these varied perspectives, it allows for a deeper understanding of the sport’s impact on the lives of those who participate in it, both during their active careers and long after they’ve left the ring.