Set in 1980s, when boxing is illegal, James Jim Corbett, a brash young bank teller, comes to this sport of fighting after his superior sponsors his training at the Olympic Club. After that, Corbett becomes a professional prizefighter and introduces a new, more sophisticated style of boxing, emphasizing footwork. This new method helps him to beat the world champion John L. Sullivan, and wins the high-born girl Victoria Ware also.