You are wrong there. As soon as someone even tries to lay hands on you they are committing an act of violence and can be handled any way you see fit. I would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6. I would have done the same except I would not have waited around for him to come up and punch me. I would have went to the nearest police station if I could.
People get bold when armed and often regret their bravado. Both of these fools get what they deserve.