In a billiards club, boxer Joe Harmon (Soldier Harmon) and his manager, Doc Barnes, are playing pool when they catch sight of a scuffle between a bouncer and a rowdy man. Excited at the prospect of a real fight—not the staged kind he’s so used to—Joe tries to join the men, but the Doc pulls him back, ushering him out of the club and into a restaurant on the corner. The Doc scolds him for almost revealing his moves to the public, saying it’s bad business to give them away. Afterwards, Joe leaves to see his longtime girlfriend, Mollie Turner. The two would have gotten married had Joe not started boxing and become insecure of his place in life. They get ready for the film they want to watch, but as they’re waiting, Mollie asks questions about the Doc, causing Joe to get irritated. He doesn’t want to hear Mollie pester him about training or boxing, and for the rest of the night, he is agitated. Arriving his parents’ house where he lives, he muses that despite how he is satisfied with his current level of career performance, everyone else around him, including Mollie and his parents, aspire for him to be greater.

In the morning, Joe takes his mother to church and walks his dog, listening to the surrounding pedestrians murmur about “Soldier Harmon”. He and Mollie then spend some time together in the evening, during which he remembers the afternoon when he almost suggested they get married. Joe is ultimately glad he held back due to the pressure Mollie exudes onto his fighting career. When he previously said he wanted to quit boxing and find a different job, neither Mollie nor Doc Barnes would take him seriously. It was during this time that Joe also realized he was just an investment to Barnes. When Joe explains his struggles to his father, he advises his son to get married and settle down. However, Joe does not want to marry Mollie only to disappoint her, but also feels guilt at the thought of being with her for so long and not proposing. Over the next two weeks, Joe trains for his next match. Taking a break one day, he and Mollie head to the amusement park. They break into an argument when Joe tries to buy junk food. Mollie takes him to a secluded area, and he tries to divert the conversation with talk of the money he’ll win from beating his opponent. Mollie lukewarmly supposes they’ll get married afterwards. After Joe walks Mollie home that night, he proceeds to buy unhealthy snacks and try to raise his morale, telling himself he will marry Mollie sooner or later and quit boxing.

Joe loses his next fight, but because he was able to endure so many hits, the Doc arranges for Joe to fight Tommy Goldie. Joe actually is excited for this fight. He has seen Goldie work out before, and watching him train his physique increases Joe’s anticipation of the match. In the two weeks before the fight, Joe and Mollie argue often and Joe’s parents are frustrated with him being unfair to her. Three days before the fight, Joe develops a liking for jogging, making imaginary conversation with Mollie as he runs. On the day of the fight, Joe is feeling strong and confident. Although the fight is adrenaline-pumping and thrilling, Joe loses. As the Doc is driving him away from the arena, Joe tells him he’s through with boxing. The Doc begrudgingly lets his investment go, and Joe is content that he can marry Mollie without her aspirations for him.