Running away from the big city where he had once been a top prizefighter, Dave Collins, now seedy and broke, hitchhikes West. While stopping at a small Southwestern town, Dave goes to the local saloon to ask for a job. Bernie, the owner of the saloon as well as the regional fight promoter, offers Dave $200 to fight Vince Reedy, a local boxer. Dudley, an amiable old drunk, becomes Dave's manager and Dave goes into training. Soon after, Dave meets Cathy, an attractive waitress who is in love with Vince. Cathy begs Dave to beat Vince, explaining that if Vince loses the match, he will give up his dream of becoming a champion and settle down and marry her. Meanwhile, Janet Gilbert, a wealthy young divorcee who is physically attracted to Dave, tries to convince him to lose the fight and marry her. Torn, Dave approaches Vince and offers to lose the fight to him for $200. Dave then obtains a $100 advance from Bernie and instructs Dudley to bet the entire $200 on Vince. Upon learning that Dave intends to throw the fight, Bernie and his friends bet heavily on Vince. After boxing several rounds, however, Dave experiences a change of heart, floors Vince, and wins the fight. Furious at being double-crossed, Bernie and his friends try to break into Dave's dressing room to beat him up, but he escapes with Janet's help. Once safely out of town, Dave parts with Janet, content in the knowledge that he has salvaged his self-respect and that Vince will marry Cathy and accept a secure job working at the ranch.
