In the harsh streets of 1950s Cleveland, young Mikey Hasser is thrown into a world of underground fights, broken promises, and hard survival. Forced by his father to earn money with his fists, Mikey grows up knowing only pain, grit, and the raw hunger to prove himself. But when a high school football coach sees more in him than just bruises and scars, Mikey gets a rare chance to change his path. Given a new name and a shot at a different life, he must learn to live among people who care, attend school, and hold onto a secret that could destroy everything he is building. Trash Fighter is a powerful story of survival, second chances, and the quiet strength it takes to rise above the past. This coming-of-age novel is rich with emotion, unforgettable characters, and the fight to find hope in the darkest places.