Denny Bolton, who comes from a long line of men who have drunk themselves to death, discovers Soapy Williams, a tough bootlegger, selling bootleg hootch to his grandfather and gives Williams a sound thrashing. Denny's grandfather later dies, and Denny is suspected of excessive drinking, deeply feeling the scorn of his townspeople. When Doris Anderson, his sweetheart, also turns against him, Denny leaves for New York, hoping to get a chance to fight Soapy Williams, who has become the heavyweight champion. Denny gets a tryout at Flash Fogarty's gym and does well enough to be matched eventually against Williams. Helen Van Allen, an ardent follower of Williams, vamps Denny and causes him to break training. This relaxation undermines his constitution, and he loses the fight. Denny later meets Williams and Helen in front of a nightclub and, goaded by the champ's taunts, defeats him in a rough-and-tumble street fight. Denny then returns home to the welcoming arms of Doris.