In the movie, "Dutch" Grady, a struggling fighter, lands a job as a sparring partner for heavyweight champion Joe Palooka. After knocking Palooka out in a training bout, Grady becomes the target of a reporter's ridicule, prompting the champion's manager to demand he beat other contenders first. Despite criticism affecting Palooka's box-office numbers, the manager eventually agrees to the title fight. However, on the eve of the bout, Grady's manager, the reporter, and a doctor conspire to drug Palooka, leading to the title being vacated. A beauty contest winner offers to reveal the truth for $5,000, but is found knifed to death before Joe can meet her, and he becomes the prime suspect in her murder.
Joe Palooka in the Big Fight
A retired boxer's good name is sullied when he's unfairly accused of murder and driving under the influence by cunning gangsters aiming to discredit him and replace their own fighter in a high-stakes competition.
