Read the paragraph. Life is difficult for animal mothers in the wild. The mothers must provide food so their babies can grow up to be healthy. They must also defend their young like a boxer in the ring from other animals who want the babies for their next meal. Finally, they need to teach their young the skills they need to stay alive.

What is the meaning of defend their young like a boxer in a ring as it is used in the paragraph?

A remove

B coax

C distance

D protect