This is a novel about a washed-up boxer named Donny "the Italian Stallion" DeSarno. He dreams of returning to the ring and this time to win and not be used by his previous trainer. Donny gets Walter Little to train him again, with the understanding that if Mr. Sokol wants him to throw the fight, he'll have to agree to do it. However, fate has other plans for Donny, when a ten-year-old named Antonio, sees the true potential in DeSarno. The boy manages to convince the big guy to train him, only the plan is to do everything unconventional, because Donny can't return to the gym where his previous trainer is. Donny has been warned not to screw up this time, because if he does there would be severe consequences. The first fight against Marcus "The Whip" Emery is a success! Donny wins with a KO. Those consequences he was warned about turn out to be more than he bargained for, and it may actually interfere with his title fight against Louis "The Hammer" Dodson. In the end Donny will have to decide what really matters to him. Is he willing to risk everything for the title fight with Dodson or not?