November brings Alfred’s second amateur fight, this one against a very fast and skillful boxer named Griffin. Donatelli wants Alfred to move in against Griffin and use combinations as he did when sparring against the speedy Angel. Alfred tries but runs into the red blur of Griffin’s gloves. The first two rounds are all Griffin’s, as he stings Alfred with what seems like hundreds of pitter-pat blows. Alfred needs a knockout.
In the third round, Griffin tires and begins to miss. Alfred hits him with a combination, the last punch a magnificent hook that leaves Griffin twitching and then lying dead-still on the canvas. Alfred wins the fight but feels alone and sick. He wonders if he has killed Griffin. He has not, but the image haunts him through the next day.
