A contender is someone who faces challenges with courage, strength, and determination. In the novel The Contender by Robert Lipsyte, Mr. Donatelli says that a contender is "the man coming up, the man who knows there's a good chance he'll never get to the top, the man who's willing to sweat and bleed to get as high as his legs and his brains will take him" (25). In this story, Alfred Brooks becomes a contender. Alfred proves he is a contender when he fights Elston Hubbard and when he stands up to Major.

One way Alfred proves he is strong and determined is when he fights Elston Hubbard to the end. Elston Hubbard is 27 years old and incredibly muscular, while Alfred is only 17 years old and not quite as well built as Hubbard. This fight with Hubbard is step up from his 3 other fights. Alfred shows his determination by...