How serious is a fist fight?

As others have said avoid fighting if possible, if not run to where there are witnesses. Once you are in front of a large group of people this idiot isn't likely to do anything

I suggest you do a simple search on the difference between self defense and fist fighting. An example is here.

If you intend on fighting this guy then you are not defending yourself, you are engaging in mutually agreed upon combat. If you run away and he chases you down and a fight occurs then you are defending yourself. If you are defending yourself then he will end up under the wrath of the law but if you engage in a fist fight and the cops are called, both of you are likely to get arrested.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Killy

You can get charged, if you start the fight.

You can get charged even if you didn't start the fight...

Originally Posted by RainMan

In regards to the law, fist fights are only as serious as the injuries inflicted. Many fights end fairly quickly and in that case, the injuries MIGHT be minimal. If the fight is mutual, then the law doesn't need to enter the equation. Assault is a different story entirely.

I wouldn't want to put my freedom on the line on an assumption that the law doesn't need to enter the equation.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by brknredcrayon

This may sound foolish or a perfect of example of male chauvinism, but why not just fight and leave the law out of it. If you win, you win. If you lose, you take your beating and move on. It may sound silly but have a little pride, he swings at you swing back and mean it. Don't go into with the idea that you're gonna lose and you can call the cops, you'll lose face. I dunno, its a shitty situation, just carry a sling at all times and SLAY GOLIATH !!!

Not a smart plan, if you really want to fight with this guy put on some boxing gloves and take the fight to a boxing ring. But do NOT go fighting someone in a public place, your odds of getting into trouble are going to be high because from the sound of it you'd be just as much a cause of the fight as he would in the eyes of the cops regardless of who struck first.

DragoonKain: Did you even bother to read the link I posted? :-/

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by brknredcrayon

Why is this not a smart plan? Albeit the situation does not seem to have many outs, but at the very least maintain your dignity. In all likelihood, unless he jumps you in some dark alley (which you should avoid), people will be around that will break it up within seconds/minutes. Get in close, so he can't get any real power behind punches, and it will turn into a wrestling match, like 99% of the fights that occur. You can then exchange insults, swear, etc. without looking like a little girl. Using "Im gonna tell." never garnered much respect from anyone.

People who think like that shouldn't be fighting. I'm a trained soldier, I know how easy it is to kill you with my hands. Beating the fuck out of some jackass because he "deserved" it is not smart, in fact it is very stupid and shows a great level of immaturity.

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying he shouldn't fight back if he is attacked, but what I am saying is that he needs to be aware that just because you didn't swing the first punch you can be just as responsible for a fight which is illegal and VERY different from self defense. And that egging this guy on in not the wise thing to do.

There are a lot of people here who are saying get the fight over with or that “I’ve been in a bunch of fights and nothing came of it”, and that line of thinking will only get you into trouble if you get caught. This isn’t preschool where “I’m gonna tell” is the line of the weak, this if your life, one wrong punch could end it. Why do you need to prove anything to a pathetic idiot? I don’t need to “prove” that I can beat someone up, beating someone else up only proves how much of a worthless person I am.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?