why do both boys wish for an early knockout?

How are we supposed to know to what literature you're referring?

Which boys? Who or what is being knocked out? Harold Stassen was knocked out of running for president several times.

And, yes, if you are studying literature, you should learn to spell the word.

To understand why both boys wish for an early knockout, it is important to have the context and background information regarding the situation being referred to. It seems like there is a specific scenario or context being mentioned, which is not clear from the given question.

However, I can provide a general explanation as to why individuals in a competitive sport or fight, regardless of gender, might wish for an early knockout:

1. Winning with less effort: An early knockout would allow a fighter to win the match without having to expend too much energy or endure a lengthy and potentially grueling fight. It can be seen as a quicker and easier path to victory.

2. Reducing the risk of injury: In combat sports, there is always a risk of sustaining injuries. By aiming for an early knockout, the fighters try to end the fight as quickly as possible to minimize the chances of getting hurt.

3. Psychological advantage: Scoring an early knockout can be demoralizing for the opponent and may break their confidence. It can give the winning fighter a psychological advantage, potentially affecting the opponent's performance in subsequent rounds.

It is important to note that this answer is based on general assumptions and may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the situation being referred to in the question.