End of the second world war. Young Stan Vandewalle meets Max in a prison camp. Max recognizes in Stan a great boxing talent and becomes his trainer. After the war, Stan lives with his head in the clouds. Until disaster strikes and his mentally retarded brother Alois dies. In tribute, Stan vows to become the greatest boxer in the world. With his other brother Romain as manager, he wins one match after another. However, he falls under the spell of Kets, one of the most powerful figures in the boxing world, who quickly helps Stan to become an international champion. In Cuba, Stan is having the time of his life with his great love Julie.