It is October, four months since Alfred began training. Aunt Pearl is afraid he is sick because he is not going to run, only wants tea for breakfast, and is not going to work today. He solemnly and cryptically announces that today he is “resting himself for his big opportunity for advancement.” Aunt Pearl questions him a bit, but he promises to tell her his secret tonight.

Henry comes over at ten o’clock; at noon, they begin walking to the gym, and Alfred begins to get nervous. He stops and waves at the grocery store. Lou Epstein comes out and says Alfred looks good and that he will see the boy tonight. The empty gym seems huge. Alfred gives his official amateur boxing card to Henry, and Doctor Corey gives Donatelli a second mouthpiece in case Alfred swallows his; he is trying to lighten the mood.

Alfred eats two soft-boiled eggs and some tea; the waiter asks about Willie Streeter, and Donatelli says he can no longer represent him. Alfred and Henry take a taxi to Spoon’s apartment in Manhattan. Donatelli will join them later. It will be quiet there, and Alfred is supposed to rest. Jelly won his first fight, but Donatelli told him a fighter who cannot control his eating cannot be a contender.  

This is Alfred’s first taxi ride; Henry took cabs to the clinic all the time when he had polio. Spoon’s apartment is full of books, representing a life much different from the one Alfred lives. Henry tells Alfred the police raided the clubroom and found marijuana and heroin.

Spoon’s wife Betty fixes Alfred’s steak, and Spoon explains that Alfred can finish high school at night. After he eats and takes a short walk, Alfred takes a nap; when Henry wakes him up it is time to go.

Donatelli is tense and nervous. A doctor examines and weighs Alfred; he will wear black trunks. Henry will work his corner tonight, so Corey will sit in the crowd. Bud Martin and Donatelli each wrap a hand once Alfred is dressed and ready, and Henry proudly shows Alfred his white terry-cloth robe with his name on the back. Alfred is moved to tears.

Alfred’s is the third fight. His opponent is Joe Rivera from the Bronx. Rivera lands the first punch, a solid hit to Alfred’s mouth because he was not ready for it. Soon Alfred gets hit hard and falls to the mat, dazed, but then is saved by the bell. Donatelli tells Alfred to “stick and run,” even though the crowd calls him a coward. Alfred boxes smart, as Donatelli instructed, and he begins to win rounds.

At the final bell, Rivera punches Alfred hard in the groin. Alfred wins by majority decision, but he is nearly delirious from the illegal punch. Rivera comes over to apologize, but Donatelli says that any time a fighter gets hit anywhere, it is his own fault. Everyone is excited that Alfred won, but Donatelli says that it is not enough.