Charles Bronson plays Chaney, a street-smart, aging bare-knuckle boxer, who arrives in town as a hobo on a train.  He has little money, great brawn and grit - and enough wisdom to observe and learn with little reason for small talk.  While having coffee at a downtown diner, he notices activity in a nearby building.  Watching a no-holds barred street-fight, he realizes he can win and make some easy money.  James Coburn plays Speed, the two-bit promoter who books Chaney in street fights in small towns.  Chaney has a soft side, trying to find love and adopting a stray cat, with scenes showing he cares for it.  He is briefly involved in a love affair with the lovely Lucy, Jill Ireland - Bronson's real-life wife.  This goes nowhere, Lucy wants stability, but Speed is strong and knows one gets hurt in life by showing feelings and forming relationships, even with a cat. So, it is back to a final gut-wrenching fight to show if Chaney is really as good as he thinks.