Set against the backdrop of the civil rights era in the United States, the plot follows a ten-year period in the life of a charismatic and outspoken young boxer from Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning with his early days, the narrative chronicles the boxer's rise from a gold medal victory in the 1960 Rome Olympics to his conversion to Islam. After rejecting his "slave name," he becomes widely known by his new name, which signifies a pivotal transformation in his personal identity and sets the stage for his profound impact both within and beyond the sport.

As he carves out a name for himself, the boxer faces not only opponents in the ring but battles social norms and government institutions outside of it. His refusal to be conscripted into the U.S. military due to his religious beliefs and ethical opposition to the Vietnam War leads to a conviction for draft evasion. This highly publicized stance places his career on the line, as he is stripped of his boxing title and faces a ban from the sport. Meanwhile, his personal life is just as tumultuous, marked by complex relationships and the struggle to stay true to his principles in a society resistant to change.