Frankie Dunn (Clint Eastwood) has been training and managing world-class professional boxers for years, but he has never brought home a world champion title. Frankie’s top fighter deserts him for a new manager just before a title fight. Frankie is left with no hope of garnering a title until 31 year-old Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank) shows up in his gym. He initially refuses to train her, claiming he doesn’t train women. We soon find out there’s much more to it than that; he has unresolved issues with his estranged daughter. But he is eventually affected by Maggie’s determination and gives in. Maggie’s road from a poor and homely waitress to a boxing superstar is not only a road to a title, but a journey of self-discovery, and a deep friendship that develops between two affection-starved souls.