After his father's suicide, Johnny Captor of Coos Bay, Oregon, drops out of college to pursue a career in boxing, which would enable him to support his mother and younger brother Brian. This did not sit well with his girlfriend Jill, a teacher, who would prefer that Johnny stay in school and earn a degree rather than risk his body in the ring. Johnny thinks he has a shot at the world championship, thanks to the support of his trainer George and the mobster who owns his contract, Harry.