A poor Jewish boy named Moyshe Bernsztajn meets his hero, the gangster and boxer Jakub Szapiro, and it changes his life forever.

Szapiro prepares for the most important boxing match of his life against a more youthful opponent Andrzej Ziembinksi. Mosze has moved in with Szapiro's family.

After his brother Moryc is beaten up at the University of Warsaw, Szapiro wants revenge, but Moryc wants an education more. The police find the body of Mosze's father.

Buddy is arrested, and Szapiro and Moyshe go looking for Buddy's friend who may be able to order his release.

Radziwilek's provocation succeeds. Warsaw is boiling with rage after the murder of a veteran. Kaplica's gang is in danger after his arrest, and the nationalists organise a pogrom.

Anna Ziembinska wants to discredit her father. Szapiro agrees to help her and they are drawn to each other. Szapiro also sees his chance to outsmart Kaplica.