6.AMIGO BROTHERS

 

Amigo Brothers is a short story written by Piri Thomas. The main characters are Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas, who are seventeen years old. Even though they are friends, they consider themselves as brothers, hence the nickname "amigo brothers." They are born and brought up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Both of them aspire to become lightweight champions of the world.

Antonio is fair, lean, and lanky, while Felix is short, dark, and has an Afro hairstyle. Their shared passion for boxing leads them to work out at the Boy's Club or the gym and run along the East River Drive every day. They both have collections of fight magazines and scrapbooks containing torn tickets and clippings.

Currently, Antonio and Felix are participating in the division finals, where the winner will represent the Boy's Club in the Golden Gloves Championship Tournament. As the final approaches, a wall develops between Antonio and Felix. One day, Felix expresses his concerns about their upcoming fight, stating that he wants to win "fair and square." Antonio responds by explaining that once they step into the ring, they must adopt the mindset of professional boxers who prioritize competition over friendship. Felix suggests that it would be better if they don't see each other until the match, and Antonio agrees.

After parting ways, both Antonio and Felix focus on their training, trying to forget about each other to ensure they have a perfect practice. Both of them imagine knocking out the other without causing harm. They are determined to give their best while preserving their friendship.

Finally, the match begins. As the first round commences, Antonio and Felix assume their fighting poses. Felix swiftly approaches Antonio with his head low, half-hunched toward his right shoulder, and throws a straight left punch. He follows up with a right cross, but Antonio manages to slip and dodge the attack. Antonio counterattacks with three powerful left punches that land on Felix's head. Despite Felix's bobbing and weaving to avoid Antonio's blows, Antonio manages to land two more left punches to Felix's head. Neither of them achieves the knockout they had planned earlier.

In the second round, Felix strikes first, landing a hard right punch to Antonio's head. Antonio immediately retaliates with a barrage of left and right punches towards Felix. As Antonio presses forward, Felix continues to bob and weave, attempting to counter Antonio's attacks. Both fighters refuse to give up.

In the third and final round, Antonio aggressively advances, unleashing a flurry of punches on Felix. Felix fights back, exchanging blows with Antonio. The intensity of their bout astonishes the crowd, leaving them in stunned silence. Even the referee struggles to comprehend the action unfolding before them. Eventually, the round comes to an end, but the boxers are oblivious to it. They continue their fight until the referee and their trainers intervene to separate them. Once they realize the match is over, Antonio and Felix embrace each other and leave the ring together. The result of the match becomes inconsequential to them; their friendship holds greater value. As the announcer declares the result, the ring stands empty.