the story of lightweight boxer Tommy "Little Dog" Ross and his haphazard quest for redemption. One fateful night five years ago, Tommy betrayed the boxer's code of conduct during a championship bout against Rico "Havoc" St. George – he dropped his gloves in the middle of a round and quit the fight, dumping a promising career down the drain. Tommy has had to live with the fallout of this decision ever since.Now Tommy has the chance for a rematch and his family isn’t sure what to think. Sure, they all loved lapping up the glory of Tommy’s spotlight – but living in the shadow of his humiliating defeat was more than they could bear. If he fights again, will it bring shame or glory? Tommy’s mother Sylvia, a failed lounge singer, will prove yet again to be Tommy’s true nemesis in his not-quite heroic return to the ruthless world of boxing. Tommy is a broken, would-be champion, trying to survive within an outrageously dysfunctional family. If the training doesn’t break him, his scheming relatives certainly will do their damnedest to finish the job.
After winning the fight he was supposed to throw, Tommy goes on the run.
Tommy tries to convince Pamela that he can be a good father and provider while Ginny tries to convince everyone to get out of her house. Chesley wants to uncover the truth about his own father.
Tommy's first fight of the season interrupts his bonding time with Cassius. Tucker and Smallwood learn they have an unexpected connection.
Tommy is devastated over the death of Big Turk and wants to make amends. Sylvia and Lowly Jr. look for new housing as Ginny tries to talk her way into the Smallwood money.
Encouragement from his father and the community make Tommy begin to believe in himself again. Pamela catches Rico at one of Ginny's seminars and everyone attends the official weigh-in. Tucker presents Tommy with an impossible choice.