Tony Tenkiller is a nave amateur boxing champion from a small Oklahoma town who has dreamed of winning a world title ever since he was a child. After a training run, Tony stops in a public restroom to rinse the sweat from his face. A few minutes later, he finds himself in the backseat of a police car where he begins to fear the implication this one incident will have on his life and boxing career.

Disaster is averted for the moment when Tony's uncle rescues him from his predicament. With help from his new manager, ex-newspaper sports editor Lamar Bosworth, Tony mistakenly believes he has overcome his recent problem. But when he turns professional, a persistent rumor threatens to damage his career as he works his way toward a million-dollar world title bout. As he attempts to determine who has his back in his inner-circle and who does not, tragedy strikes twice, leaving Tony more vulnerable than ever.

In this action-packed story of hype, greed, and manipulation, a young professional boxer struggles to keep his dream alive as life throws him punches he never sees coming.