Part 1

During World War II, Stan Vandewalle saves boxing trainer Max from the bombed German war prisoners camp, and shoots two German soldiers while escaping. After the war, Stan resolves to put all his frustration over the death of his slow-witted brother Aloïs, who dreamed of becoming an opera singer, with his side-car against a farmer's truck in making come true Aloïs other dream, to see Stan becoming 'king of the world' as boxer. After Max introduces him to wealthy, greedy gay manager Dumont, his career takes a rocketing start, but he gets none of the proceeds. Stan's elder brother Romain, an honorless philanderer, finds out the cheating but prefers to demand his cut instead as exclusive bookie...