At 39 years old, West Virginia native J-Bob “Hollywood” Parsons is still looking for his big break. An ex-boxer with a scattered record, J-Bob lives in Florida, where he keeps up a front that he is a successful businessman. In reality, he is deep in debt and stuck in a multi-level marketing program. But when a regional salesman offers him the chance to skip two levels, J-Bob jumps at the opportunity. The catch? He needs $4,500 to buy into the program.

With his tail between his legs, J-Bob returns home to borrow the money from his mother, herself a two-time boxing world champion. When she refuses, J-Bob enters a local amateur boxing competition, Toughman, to raise the money he needs.

Beat Down is a raucous hybrid narrative film that blends fictionalized characters, real boxers, and an actual live event to offer a glimpse into the wild world of Appalachian boxing.