The Final Round

The Final Round, directed by Lisa Maydwell and Joyce Licorish and based on a book by Maydwell and Robert W. Lee Jr., traces this rise and fall through firsthand interviews and archival material. It’s not just the story of a boxing executive—it’s the story of a man who challenged racism in sports, paid a heavy price, and left a complicated legacy in one of the most controversial arenas in American athletics.

The Final Round is a testament to why indie documentary filmmaking is so important. While HBO and Showtime have deep pockets when it comes to funding docs, they only care about the big fish. Without filmmakers like Maydwell and Licorish, the rise and fall stories of Robert Lee would vanish into oblivion. Not only did Lee overcome the racism of the 60s and 70s, but he also made inroads into the sport of boxing that no one else could—or would—have made. The story also exposes this need for law enforcement to make victims of the innocent for the sake of “justice”…more retribution.

Robert W. Lee Sr. shares his story during an intimate interview featured in The Final Round documentary.

“…a testament to why indie documentary filmmaking is so important.”

Since this is an indie doc, the final product is no-frills. Shot on video rather than the high-end formats favored by major studios, what’s important here is the firsthand accounts of Lee’s story from himself, his son, and their close associates. All are good, engaging storytellers.

The Final Round serves as a powerful reminder of why independent documentaries are important. While mainstream cable channels and streamers often chase headline names, filmmakers like Maydwell and Licorish bring to light the untold stories of people like Robert Lee, who challenged the status quo and made lasting change. His story is not just about boxing, but about fighting racism and injustice at every turn. Told through personal interviews and grounded perspectives, the film ensures that Lee’s legacy won’t be forgotten—flawed, complex, and essential.