The Ghost Behind the Gloves is an intense and unfinished tale set in the brutal world of boxing, focusing on the pivotal match between the experienced Shifty Tremayne and the youthful Young Slattery. Tremayne, known for his cunning and nickname derived from his evasive fighting style, finds himself in a precarious situation, bloodied and on the brink of defeat. Despite the physical toll, his strategic mind seeks to exploit Slattery's inexperience. Slattery, on the other hand, represents raw talent and determination, having gained respect and recognition in the mining district's fighting scene. The narrative explores themes of pride, resilience, and the cruel spectacle of bloodsports, as witnessed by an impassioned crowd and an impartial Referee.

The clash is a dance of violence and strategy, with Tremayne relying on his seasoned instincts to navigate through Slattery's powerful assaults. Initially underestimating Slattery, Tremayne is taken by surprise by the force of Slattery's right hand, which dramatically shifts the momentum of the fight. The turning point arrives when Tremayne, resorting to a mixture of skill and foul play, manages to incapacitate Slattery temporarily with an unseen knee strike during a clinch—an act unnoticed by the referee and misinterpreted by the audience.

As Slattery, driven by fury and grit, attempts to retaliate, he is methodically broken down by Tremayne's superior technique and relentless barrage. The fight underscores not only the physical but also the psychological battle between youth and experience, honor and deception.