It features Leonard Nimoy, later in Star Trek as Spock, in his first lead role in a motion picture, as well as future Jimmy Olsen actor Jack Larson of television's original Adventures of Superman series.

A disfigured street kid (Leonard Nimoy), a member of the Billy Goat Gang, is shown how to box by a parish priest, Father Callahan (Richard Rober), who also makes him part of the church choir.

During a fight with the other members of the Billy Goats for ridiculing his church vestments, he accidentally knocks out Father Callahan and runs away from home to avoid the repercussions.

After the surgery, Monk becomes even more conceited, losing the respect of Angelo and Emily, and his manager convinces him to resume fighting to address his unpaid bills.

With money going out due to Monk’s new clean tactics, his syndicate plans recoup their losses by forcing his return to dirty fighting.