When most people think of a hero they think of someone with superpowers, like Batman or Superman. Others may think of someone courageous like a police officer or firefighter. This is because the most well known definition of the word hero is a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. There is, however, another definition of the word hero. This definition would be the chief male character in a book, play, or movie, who is typically identified with good qualities, and with whom the reader is expected to sympathize. By this second definition, Bubba is a hero.

The author of the story immediately gives the reader a way to connect with Bubba by showing some of his good qualities. He has already won 11 matches in a row and after winning the upcoming match, Bubba is going to treat his wife, Kim, to a vacation. He loves her very much and says that she brings out the best in him.

By the end of the story, the reader sympathizes with Bubba. The match didn’t go as well as everyone had hoped it would and Bubba lost. He and Kim can

no longer do the things they had planned with the $50,000 check he would have won. The author says that at the end, Bubba would have fallen over like a storefront mannequin at the slightest push.

Even after losing, Bubba says that he would like to continue boxing, that, "There's only on Alexis Arguello. But I feel I can box with any of the other guys." This shows that even though he may not have won this match, that isn't going to stop him from trying to win others, just like a true hero.