Diana Guzman (newcomer Michelle Rodriguez) is about to be expelled from school after her third fight of the term. When her father pays for her brother to take up boxing, he gives Diana the lessons, behind their father's back. Determined to prove to everyone, especially her father, that she has what it takes to become a boxer, Diana becomes entrenched in the male-dominated world of boxing. Of course she kicks butt and falls in love but the predictability is all forgiven by Rodriguez's breakthrough performance as the tough but still vulnerable girlfighter.