Harry Fabian (Robert De Niro) is a failed lawyer who is in an almost impossible relationship with Helen Nasseros (Jessica Lange) a common waitress who wants to leave her husband. After Harry failed winning a case in court against a famous boxing organizer who is also a mobster, he wants revenge. He decides to have a future in the boxing world, although he knows nothing about the sport, to catch the organizer on his own territory. He becomes an impresario, and by befriending the mobsters’ older brother as his judge of talent, he has protection against him. He’s in a big debt for money because of all the preparations but he’s confident and waits the “big night”. But his relationship with his waitress doesn’t make things easier.