I still can't believe how little you'd played when you started this topic.
Halfway through the game you'll be taking on crowds of 6-12 guys like a whirlwind of fists and feet, laying down ass-whoopings that they can't choreograph in the freaking movies. You can punch a guy, catch the fist of his mate, throw that guy at a whole set of other people, on and on and on
The combat in this game is a triumph