The Champ

Former boxing champion Billy Flynn now lives in Hialeah, Florida, trying to settle into a quieter life as a horse trainer. A challenger approaches, proposing that Billy return to the ring in a future match. The suggestion rekindles his pride but clashes with his new role as a father and guardian to his son, TJ.

At the gym, Billy brings TJ along, where TJ affectionately calls him Champ. The boxer who was expected to arrive does not appear, leaving Billy tense about his future plans. Frustrated and protective, Billy storms out and leaves TJ behind.

TJ later finds his father drunk in a bar and drags him home. Neighbors like Josie notice Billy's condition and ask about it on the street. TJ explains that Charlie and his friends bought him four beers to celebrate the supposed news.

Billy reveals a $6,400 gambling win and uses the money to buy TJ his very own horse, a filly named She's a Lady. The animal is entered in a race, but Lady collapses after scraping her leg. Annie, Billy's estranged wife who had placed the bet on the horse, arrives after the accident and confronts him about the past. Billy admits that he told TJ Annie was dead and that she had deserted them.

Lady collapses at the race, scraping her leg, forcing a pause in the day’s plans. Annie, Billy’s former wife who has separated for years, arrives at the scene having bet on the horse. Billy admits to TJ that he told him Annie was dead to shield him, while Annie invites TJ to join her aboard a cruise ship.

Annie's current husband confronts Billy, urging him to tell TJ that Annie is his mother. Billy refuses, arguing that Annie wasn't there for TJ, so he has no mother. The confrontation underscores the fragile lines between past and present family ties.

Back in the streets, Billy loses the gamble on TJ's horse. Whitey demands that Billy hand over Lady or pay $2,000. Annie steps in with the money, but Whitey still takes the horse. Billy retaliates by attacking Whitey and anyone who tries to intervene, and is arrested and taken into custody.

At Annie's home, she tries to comfort TJ but accidentally tells him she is his mother. TJ refuses to accept her in that role, leaving Annie distraught. The revelation deepens the pain in their family unit.

When Billy is released, he seeks TJ and embraces him at a stadium, promising he will never leave him again. Annie visits Billy and asks him to explain why she wasn't there for TJ. After a heated discussion, Billy allows Annie back into his life as a friend and ally.

To make amends with his son, Billy explains his decision to fight again, acknowledging the risks of age and headaches. Jackie, the trainer, warns him about the dangers but reluctantly agrees to train him.

The night of the fight arrives at a crowded stadium. Billy endures heavy blows, the doctor warning that more damage could end the match. He manages to knock out his opponent, but collapses on the way back to the dressing room and dies from his injuries. Inside the stands, TJ learns of his father's death only after Jackie informs him, and Annie consoles him.