How does alfred change in the contender

One way Henry influences Alfred is that Henry is the reason Alfred was motivated to go to the gym. Without Henry mentioning how Mr. Donatelli gave him a small job there, Alfred may not ave even went to the gym in the first place. Another way Henry influences Alfred is by always being there in times of need. An example of this is when he was there to help Alfred after he got knocked out by Major. Henry helps Alfred train to become a contender. I think this is really what eventually connected these too characters.

Alfred realizes that Henry really enjoyed training him and being his corner man a lot. Another character that influences Alfred a lot is Mr. Donatelli is the owner of the gym that Alfred goes to and trains at. One thing Mr. Donatelli does that influences Alfred is he shows Alfred what it really takes to accomplish any goal. Alfred Brooks lived in the projects in New York City. He goes through some rough times in his life but his friends, career and other things change him.

There are also numerous events that also change Alfred than the people around him. Throughout the novel The Contender, Alfred changes due to his friends, boxing career, and drugs. He should be sure that he wants to make a real effort; quitting is worse than never starting at all.

Something in Alfred wants to succeed, so he begins training. Becoming a contender is more difficult and tedious than Alfred imagined. Discouraged and frustrated, he attends a Friday night party at the neighborhood street gang's hangout, a basement clubroom. Allowing the gang's leader, Major, to influence him, Alfred spends much of the night drinking and smoking marijuana.

Sunday morning, he accompanies the gang to Coney Island in a stolen car and spends most of the day running, alone, from the police. He decides to quit training. While cleaning out his locker at the gym two nights later, Alfred experiences a kind of epiphany, a moment of clarity or self-awareness. Speaking with Mr. Donatelli, he begins to wonder if he ever could have made it as a contender.

He realizes that he must try. After more training, Alfred is allowed to spar and finally to have his first amateur fight. His opponent is another lightweight named Rivera, a powerful but relatively immobile puncher. But the need to be self aware and to exceed what he once believed to be his own limitations pushes him forward again.

He makes reparations for his mistakes and starts all over again, working twice as hard. Ultimately, this encourages Mr. Donatelli gives him the benefit of the doubt. Alfred is confused and is in many ways lost, but through it all he tries his best. What Alfred goes through is not pretty—he gets beat up, bleeds, sweats, and vomits.