I'm five pages behind in this thread before posting, but I'll say this:
Americans are shocked by this because, in the US, if you hurt somebody (even just their feelings) you can be sued in court for unlimited amounts of money. This idea stops many adults from pummeling people they don't like in the steets. To us, the fact this even happened makes the story insane.
Next, the jurisdiction is completely up in the air. Sure, the USA has no law enforcement jurisdiction in Portugal. But, keep in mind, people have successfully sued people for human rights abuses in US courts that occured in third countries that have nothing to do with the US. Did you get beat up by a police officer in Saddam's Iraq in the year 2000? Well, you too can become a millionaire in US federal court. It's not out of bounds that Ralph could use the same tactics.
It's insane that a British person beat up an American person. Sure, a black guy from Britain could always beat up a black guy from the US, but seeing a white person beat up a white person is very jarring because it's unheard of for a British person to beat up an American. The US is now 2-1 against the UK after previously being undefeated.
When he was on the ground flipping double middle fingers, I had such a strong urge to kick him in the face and head until he couldn't gesture anymore. Human nature is very straightforward and it's no wonder he got beaten so bad the first time. One small man who has been through a lot could have brought Ralph to that level of beating.
Lastly, I do feel bad for him. You'd think these fights would be to the death, but his suffering continues on after the fights. He somehow thinks he won. I worry he'll never be humbled before God.