Antigens are proteins that are found on the surface of the pathogen. ... The antibodies destroy the antigen (pathogen) which is then engulfed and digested by macrophages. White blood cells can also produce chemicals called antitoxins which destroy the toxins (poisons) some bacteria produce when they have invaded the body.
Antibodies do not directly "fight" infection, nor do they have the ability to do so. In fact they can not do anything on the pathogens directly. They are merely receptor on B lymphocytes. Instead they bind the antigens, small bits of pathogens produced by the first line of immunity (such as macrophages, neutrophils, NK cells, etc.).
Upon binding the antigen, the activated B cell activates T helper cells, which in turn activate inactive B cells, thus, kick starting antibody production. The activated B cells can become memory cells so that they can directly recognise the same or similar antigen as that of the original molecule. Or they can activate phagocytes and the complement system to attack the actual pathogen.