This fight does not matter, so Henry wonders why Alfred is so nervous. It matters to Alfred. Henry’s leg has not been bothering him as much since he started working for Donatelli and training Alfred. Once Henry no longer has to spend so much time training Alfred, he will begin working with some of the new young boxers.

Henry bought Alfred’s robe and wants Henry to keep it. If not for Alfred, Henry would still just be cleaning the gym; he will never forget Alfred; he is the first fighter Henry trained.

Spoon arrives and gives Alfred his night-school reading list. He and Betty will help him do some reading over Christmas break. Spoon tells Alfred privately that he has made arrangements for James to go to a drug rehabilitation clinic, but James will need Alfred’s encouragement to stay clean. Unfortunately, James has left the neighborhood and Alfred does not know where he is.

Alfred and his team silently drive to the arena. Alfred tries to remember everything so he can think about it later. When Donatelli learns that Alfred’s opponent is Elston Hubbard, he cancels the fight. Hubbard is much older and weighs more than Alfred; Alfred will get hurt.

Alfred insists on fighting, reminding Donatelli that he believes the only way to know whether a boxer is a contender is if he gets hurt in the ring. This is his last chance in boxing to see if he can be a contender, and Alfred refuses to capitulate to Donatelli’s threat to quit as his manager.

Hubbard is a man with a Marine Corps tattoo, and the crowd is clearly on his side. Donatelli whispers to “be careful” as the fight begins, and immediately Alfred is knocked to the canvas. After the referee releases him, Alfred takes a series of hard hits from his opponent. He manages to get one arm free and land a few blows on Hubbard before breaking free and jumping to the center of the ring. Hubbard hits him again and Alfred goes down again. He gets up and takes more hits until the bell rings.

Round two is just as bad for Alfred, and the referee asks Donatelli if he wants to stop the fight. Henry insists that Alfred be allowed to continue. The crowd is roaring and Alfred’s mind and vision are hazy; his mouthpiece pops out, but he continues to stand. He tells himself that Hubbard is going to have to kill him because he will not be knocked out; he will stand as long as it takes to finish the fight.

The final bell rings, but neither fighter hears it. Hubbard is the unanimous winner, but Hubbard immediately runs over and throws his arms around Alfred, commending him for being so tough.

All the way to the locker room, people congratulate Alfred for having “great heart.” In the locker room, when Alfred can finally focus, Donatelli smiles and says now Alfred knows too—he is a contender.