Joey Scalla became a great boxer, the next "great white hope." His career and his love, Katey Endicott, are lost one night when he is shot in the hip by a drug dealer. Unable to compete and in despair he runs away. Six years later he comes back to Detroit in search of Katey, whom he has never quit loving. But, she is married to a rich, possessive entrepreneur. Joey's contact with Katey raises the man's jealous anger. Hospitalized by the man's thugs, Joey discovers that he can get his Mal-joined hip replaced. He can box again and maybe get Katey back Hostilities escalate as the man, Richard Elliott, attempts to have Joey killed. Awakening from a two month long coma, Joey discovers a "gift" that will set him apart from everyone else. His gift allows him to pursue Elliott, who is running guns, drugs and prostitutes behind a legitimate front business. Joey and Katey barely escape death in a final confrontation with Elliott.