Alfred's first fight is nothing glamorous. He doesn't even know who his opponent will be until a few minutes before the contest. As Bud says, "[It] ain't Madison Square Garden." In the Donatelli code, however, every fight is important. An ex-Marine named Elston Hubbard opens the card impressively, knocking out his opponent in one minute, twenty seconds and foreshadowing a key event later in the novel. He is mature, strong, and confident. Even Bud is impressed.
The ritual for Alfred is the same as it is for Donatelli's professional fighters. He even receives an impressive white robe with his name on the back in red letters. The lessons Alfred is learning are as important as any match: If he listens to Donatelli, he does well; if he does not, he is on the canvas.
Henry's role expands in this chapter. He is responsible for Alfred's welfare throughout the hours leading up to the fight and is an assistant trainer in Alfred's corner. He also serves an important function within the novel, because it is Henry who tells Alfred that police raided the clubroom and found marijuana and heroin. James was there during the raid, but he escaped arrest, as did everyone except Sonny and Justin.
Lipsyte's verbal imagery is impressive again, specifically his use of verbals. An ice ball in the gut symbolizes Alfred's pre-fight fear. Just as the bout is to begin, the ice ball explodes, "spraying his entire body with freezing, paralyzing streams of water, weighing down his arms, deadening his legs, squeezing his heart." No wonder Rivera's first punch nails Alfred. Still, all the training pays off. Alfred bounces off the ropes jabbing. His legs are "steel springs"; his arms are "whips." Alfred has been superbly prepared, if he follows Donatelli's instructions.
