The Champ

Former boxing champion Billy 'The Champ' Flynn now works as a horse trainer at the Hialeah racetrack in Miami, Florida. He lives in an apartment above the stables with his eight-year-old son, T.J., trying to make a life away from the boxing ring.

After seven years away from boxing, Billy contemplates a comeback and returns to the Ninth Street Gym. He takes T.J. along, who is excited to see his father possibly fighting again, showcasing the bond between them.

At the gym, Billy feels insulted when his manager, Charlie Goodman, keeps him waiting. Frustrated, he storms out, leaving T.J. behind, underlining Billy's internal struggles.

Later that night, T.J. finds Billy drunk at a bar, eventually helping him return home. In a moment of desperation, Billy steals from T.J.'s piggy bank and goes to a casino, setting the stage for a turning point in their relationship.

Billy wins $6,400 at the casino and returns home in high spirits. He surprises T.J. with a new racehorse named 'She's a Lady', momentarily rekindling T.J.'s admiration and excitement for his father.

On race day at Hialeah, T.J. gets ready with his horse and jockey. Amid the atmosphere, rich designer Annie Phillips overhears T.J.'s confidence in his horse and decides to place a bet, setting up a connection for later.

During the race, 'She's a Lady' falls as she is about to take the lead, creating a tense moment. T.J. runs onto the track to aid his horse, while Annie realizes that T.J. is the son she left behind, connecting past and present.

At the stables, Billy confronts Annie about their seven-year separation. Despite their argument about custody and her past absence, they both want to be part of T.J.'s life, which becomes a focal point in the story.

Billy's gambling habits escalate when he incurs a $2,000 debt at the casino, which he cannot pay. Desperate, he borrows money from Annie, further complicating their relationship and hinting at his struggle to provide for T.J.

In a fit of rage, Billy confronts Whitey, the backer, when he comes to collect T.J.'s horse. This leads to Billy being arrested, highlighting the downward spiral of his life as he struggles with anger and responsibility.

While staying on Annie's yacht, T.J. learns that she is actually his mother. The emotional revelation causes turmoil for both mother and son as they navigate their fractured family dynamics shaped by years of absence.

After being released from jail, Billy goes to the racetrack to find T.J. waiting for him. They share an emotional hug, affirming their bond, but the complexities of their circumstances loom over them.

Determined to better himself for T.J., Billy starts training for his boxing comeback. Despite warnings about his health, he commits to the training, showing his resolve to provide a better future for his son.

On fight night, T.J. and Billy befriend Annie from the audience, showcasing a united front. The match unfolds with intense moments, highlighting Billy's grit even as he suffers damage that puts his life in jeopardy.

Billy wins the match but collapses in the locker room. As T.J. struggles to wake him, Annie walks in to find her son has passed, leaving a devastating impact on T.J. and uniting the remnants of their family in loss.