Fresh out of the military and flat broke, Walter Gulick (Elvis Presley) takes the only job he can find -- as a sparring partner at the local gym. Willy (Gig Young), the owner of the gym, sees potential in Walter as a professional fighter, and takes him under his wing. Willy hopes that Walter will earn enough money fighting in the ring to help him pay off his many gambling debts. Walter, on the other hand, hopes that he can earn the attention of Willy's little sister Rose (Joan Blackman).