You don’t need to be a fan of boxing or mixed martial arts (MMA) to enjoy witnessing a good square up between two ‘gentlemen’.
However, there is a different intensity and adrenaline rush when you see a fight breakout on the street on your way home after a long day of work.
And no one expects to see a fight cause a traffic jam, especially in a not-so-busy neighbourhood but then again, Margate Extension 3 is always full of surprises.
Why the fight broke was unknown to me, but the crossroad junction between Lavenski Drive and Shepstone Avenue had became a boxing ring.
In one corner was a middle-aged fellow we’ll call The Motorist – he hopped out of his car for whatever it was that had angered him – weighing in at somewhere between 80 and 90kg.
Weapon of choice – his black leather belt.
In the other corner was his opponent who we will call Scarface, armed with (eventually) a glass bottle.
He’s believed to have had a few run-ins with the law and the scar on his face testifies to the fact that this probably wasn’t his first scrap.
The bout began with The Motorist swinging his belt straight at the head of Scarface.
It connected perfectly and sliced open his lip.
The blow sent him wobbling back a few steps as he tried to regain his balance.
Although slightly dazed, it was obvious he wanted to settle the score and he flung a hastily gathered glass bottle at The Motorist, narrowly missing him.
The next glass bottle launched was on the money, but hit the wrong target!
The Motorist’s accomplice had joined the fray and the bottle connected with his head.
Fortunately, it did not break on impact and bounced right off.
This was unfortunately all the action I saw as we drove past the scene.
How it ended I’m not sure.
But it got me thinking of how minor issues can flare up out of control and how anger and ignorance can temporarily blind the most logical of men to good sense and reason.
It’s easy to react to provocation but it takes everything to restrain oneself.
Let’s face it, we’re at that time of year where it is seemingly open season for violence.
Murders and assaults tend to rise at this time of year (in my experience).
The sad thing is that, usually, at the bottom of it all it’s often a minor misunderstanding that really could have or should have been resolved through one calm conversation.
It’s important during this season to not be reactive to every negative situation.
Too many people have gotten into arguments which turned out to be their last.
So, I urge all South Coast residents to think before reacting – and with the threat of a second coronavirus wave looming, staying at home with loved ones is also a good idea.
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