“Amigo Brothers” by Piri Thomas is a captivating short story that delves into the deep and enduring friendship between two young boxers, Felix and Antonio. Set against the backdrop of the vibrant streets of New York City, this tale explores the complexities of camaraderie, rivalry, and the unique bond that ties these two “amigo brothers” together. Read More Class 12 English Summaries.
Amigo Brothers About The Author ;
– Piri Thomas
Piri Thomas (1928-2011) was a writer and a poet. His memoir ‘Down These Mean Streets’ became a best-seller. He spent 7years in prison. He realized that no person is bom a criminal. He used his street and prison experience to teach the youth prone to risk, to help them avoid a life of crime. He travelled a lot in the USA, Central America and Europe, and gave lectures and conducted workshops in colleges and universities.
Amigo Brothers Summary
Page 40: Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas were both 17. They were so together in friendship that they felt like brothers. They had known each otherfrom childhood. They grew up in the same building on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
Antonio was fair, lean and lanky. Felix was dark, short and husky. Antonio’s hair was always falling over his eyes. Felix wore his black hair in an Afro style. They both had a dream – becoming a light-weight champion of the world.
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Whenever they got a chance they exercised, sometimes at the Boy’s Club and sometimes at the gym. They would run every day morning, wearing sweat shirts and short towels around their necks. While some youngsters were into street doing wrong things, Antonio and Felix slept and had positive dreams. They had a collection of Fight magazines. They also kept the torn tickets of all the boxing matches they had gone to see. They also had some, cuppings of their own.
After a series of elimination bouts, they were told that they were to meet each other in the division finals scheduled forthe 7th of August. That was 2 weeks away. The winner would represent the koy’s Club in the Golden Gloves Championship Tournament.
They boys continued to run together. But even when joking with each other, they both sensed a wall rising between them.
Page 41: One morning, less than a week before their bout, they met as usual for their workout. Antonio glanced at Felix who kept his eyes straight ahead. He was practising some leg movements and hitting an imaginary jaw. Felix suddenly stopped and told Antonio that they must speak to eaGh other.
Antonio knew it was about their fight. Felix said that since he came to know the fight was between them, he kept awake at night pulling punches on Antonio, trying not to hurt him. Antonio told the same thing. He said that it is natural they thought about the fight. Both are fighters and they both want to win. There are no draws in the eliminations.
Felix tapped Antonio gently and told him he wanted to win. Antonio replied by saying that in the ring the better man wins. When they get into the ring it has to be as if they had never met. They will be like two strangers who want the same thing but only one can have it. Felix agreed. They have to fight it out.
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Felix then makes a suggestion. They won’t see each other until the day of the fight. He will stay with his Aunt Lucy, in the Bronx. Antonio agreed and he held out his hand, palm upwards making a deal. Felix sealed the deal by slapping on the open palm. Antonio wanted Felix to run with him a little more. But Felix said he wanted to be free as he wanted to think alone. Antonio asked him if Felix was worried. Felix laughed and said he was not worried. They will fight and afterthat they will get together again as if nothing had happened. The amigo brothers hugged each other tightly.
The evening before the big fight, Antonio made his way to the roof of his building. He tried not to think of Felix. He thought he had made up his mind. He would knock out Felix early and quickly so that he does not get hurt by a long fight.
Page 42: Felix decided towatch a movie in an effort to keep Antonio’s face away from his mind and fists. The film was The Champion’, acted by Kirk Douglas. The champion was getting beaten. Felix got a shock. He imagined himself in the ring, blasting Antonio against the ropes.
He stopped watching the film and began to walk on the street. There he saw only a few boys wearing gang colours. Walking did not relax him. Neitherdid the film. It had stirred him up. He went straight back to bed.
Antonio was passing some heavy time on the rooftop. How will the fight tomorrow affect his relations with Felix? Friendship had nothing to do with the fight. But he soon controlled his negative thoughts. He did some fancy dance steps to drive away his negative thinking. His amigo brother Felix was not going to be Felix in the ring. He was just an opponent. He prayed for victory through a quick clean knockout in the first round the Golden Gloves. There will be no draw. May the best man win.”
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The crowd cheered wildly. At the centre of the ring, the referee gave instructions. “Keep your punches up. No low blows. No punching on the back of the head. Let’s have a clean fight. Now shake hands and come out fighting.”
Both the fighters touched the gloves and nodded. Felix and Antonio turned and faced each other squarely in a fighting pose. Felix wasted no time. Now they were fighting like real competitors. The first round came to an end both trying hard to floor the other.
Page 44: The second round began. Felix was off his stool and rushed to Antonio like a bull. Antonio fought back well. Neither fighter was giving an inch. Suddenly Felix hit Antonio on the chin. Antonio’s legs turned jelly and his arms flailed out desperately. Suddenly his head cleared and hit Felix on the bridge of his nose. The crowd was roaring at each punch. Soon the second round came to an end.
The referee asked the ring doctor to check the fighters out. He said OK. The cold water sponges brought clarity to both amigo brothers. They were rubbed until their circulation ran free.
Now was the final round. So far things were even. Everyone knew there could be no draw and this was the final round to decide the winner.
Antonio came out fast. Felix also attacked. Both pounded away. Neither gave an inch and neither fell to the canvas. They fought to win. The sounds of their blows were loud. The crowd had gone completely silent. The referee was stunned by their savagery.
The bell sounded over and over again. Felix and Antonio did not hear the bell. Their blows continued to pound on each other like hailstones. Finally the referee and the two trainers separated them to bring them back to their senses. They looked around and then rushed toward each other.
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Page 45: A cry of alarm surged through the crowd. Was this a fight to the death instead of a boxing match? The fear soon ended as the two amigos embraced. No matter what the decision, they knew they would always be champions to each other. The announcer started: “Ladies and Gentlemen. The winner and representative to the Gold Gloves Tournament of Champions is ” The announcer did not see Felix and Antonio. Arm in arm, the champions had already left the ring!
Conclusion :
“Amigo Brothers” by Piri Thomas is a heartfelt and evocative exploration of friendship, competition, and the profound bond between two young boxers. As we journey through the lives of Felix and Antonio, we witness the resilience of their friendship, which is tested in the boxing ring but ultimately endures. The story reminds us of the power of genuine camaraderie and the sacrifices friends are willing to make for each other.