Stag Bailey (George Bancroft), a slow-witted prizefighter, and his girlfriend, speakeasy hostess Puff Rogers (Wynne Gibson), take over the upbringing of Ted Streaver (Charles Starrett) after his father, Stag's manager, is killed. Ted is a bright boy, bound for college, but he wants to become a prizefighter. Stag and Puff set out to dissuade him.