Million Dollar Babies

Maggie Fitzgerald, a determined waitress from the Ozarks, arrives at the rundown Hit Pit boxing gym in Los Angeles seeking training. Frankie Dunn, the gym's trainer, initially refuses to train her due to his prejudice against women and his belief that she's too old. Despite his refusal, Eddie 'Scrap-Iron' Dupris allows Maggie to train at the gym, recognizing her determination.

Under Frankie's reluctant guidance, Maggie begins to compete in the women's amateur boxing division. She quickly earns a reputation for her ability to deliver quick knockouts, prompting Frankie to manipulate her matchups by bribing managers to arrange her fights. Maggie's talent and persistence help her advance despite the obstacles.

Maggie is offered a meeting with heavyweight promoter Mickey Mack through Scrap. She declines the opportunity out of loyalty to Frankie, unsure about turning professional or leaving his mentorship. Frankie continues to reject offers for major fights, holding her back from a potential title shot.

Frankie gives Maggie a Gaelic nickname embroidered on her boxing robe, 'Mo Cuishle,' which means 'my darling, and my blood,' symbolizing his deepening bond and protective feelings towards her. However, he does not reveal the meaning to her at this point, maintaining his guarded nature.

Maggie continues her winning streak in Europe, gaining recognition and earning enough money to buy her mother a house. Nonetheless, her mother criticizes her for risking her welfare, mocking her behind her back and expressing skepticism about her boxing career.

Frankie finally arranges a lucrative title fight for Maggie against WBA welterweight champion Billie Osterman in Las Vegas. Maggie dominates the fight, showing her skill and determination, but Billie delivers an illegal sucker punch after the final round, knocking Maggie out and causing a severe injury.

Maggie sustains a broken neck and is left on a ventilator-dependent state after the illegal punch. Her injury leaves her a quadriplegic, and she is hospitalized to receive medical treatment for her condition. Frankie is devastated and begins to confront his grief and guilt.

Frankie goes through the stages of grief, initially denying the severity of Maggie’s condition, then becoming angry at Scrap. He later seeks forgiveness and blames himself for not preventing her injury, struggling with feelings of failure and remorse.

While in the hospital, Maggie is visited by her family, who show little concern for her well-being beyond financial gains. She becomes irritated and orders them to leave, threatening to reveal their welfare fraud if they try to contact her again, asserting her independence.

Maggie develops bedsores and faces the necessity of amputation due to an infected leg. Her condition worsens as her health deteriorates, leading her to ask Frankie to help her end her life, feeling that she has achieved all she wanted in life.

Maggie bites her tongue in an attempt to bleed to death, intending to end her suffering. Frankie, upon learning this, is horrified but refuses to assist her in dying, recognizing her strength and desire to live despite her condition.

Frankie sneaks into Maggie’s hospital room one night and, understanding the meaning of 'Mo Cuishle,' tells her the phrase means 'my darling, and my blood,' before administering a final farewell kiss. He then leaves, retiring from boxing and distancing himself from his past.

Following Maggie’s death, Frankie retires from boxing entirely. Scrap writes a letter to Frankie's daughter, revealing the true character of her father and his love for Maggie, which was more profound than he previously let on. Frankie begins a new chapter away from the sport and his past.