Final answer:
Alfred gives up boxing because the physical and emotional toll is too great, leaving him feeling old, defeated, and disinterested in continuing the sport.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alfred, the boxer in the story, decides to give up boxing due to the sheer physical and emotional toll the sport has taken on him. The texts suggest that he is worn down and defeated, contrasting the classical image of a mighty athlete with that of an older, exhausted fighter no longer in his prime. This exhaustion is both mental and physical, reflected in his battered appearance and his disinterest in grappling with his own reality. His swollen face, split lip, and cauliflowered ears serve as evidence of the harshness of his pursuits, leading to his withdrawal from the brutal world of boxing.