Question

tomorrow affect his relationship with felix? after all, fighting was like any other profession. friendship had nothing to do with it. a gnawing doubt crept in. he cut negative thinking real quick by doing some speedy fancy dance steps, bobbing and weaving like mercury. the night air was blurred with perpetual motions of left hooks and right crosses. felix, his amigo brother, was not going to be felix at all in the ring. just an opponent with another face. antonio went to sleep, hearing the opening bell for the first round. like his friend in the south bronx, he prayed for victory via a quick clean knockout in the first round.

large posters plastered all over the walls of local shops announced the fight between antonio cruz and felix vargas as the main bout.

the fight had created great interest in the neighborhood. antonio and felix were well liked and respected. each had his own loyal following. betting fever was high and ranged from a bottle of coke to cold hard cash on the line.

antonio’s fans bet with unbridled faith in his boxing skills. on the other side, felix’s admirers bet on his dynamite - packed fists.

felix had returned to his apartment early in the morning of august 7th and stayed there, hoping to avoid seeing

read and discuss what is going on with the boys now?

Explanation:

To answer the question "What is going on with the boys now?" based on the text:

• Antonio is mentally preparing for the fight (cutting negative thoughts, visualizing the bout, praying for a quick knockout).
• Felix has returned to his apartment to avoid seeing others (likely to focus or manage emotions before the fight).
• The fight between Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas (friends turned opponents) is highly anticipated in the neighborhood, with posters announcing it as the main bout, betting fever, and each having loyal supporters.

Answer:

Antonio is mentally preparing for the upcoming fight (practicing dance - like movements to clear negative thoughts, imagining the fight’s opening bell, and praying for a quick knockout). Felix has gone back to his apartment early on August 7th and stayed there, probably to avoid others and focus on the fight. The fight between them is the main bout, generating great interest in the neighborhood, with high betting activity and each having their own loyal fans who believe in their fighting abilities.