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I graduated from University with a degree in French, as did Melissa (name changed), one of my classmate throughout my four years. We have the same degree from the same school and the same professor at the same time.
I speak French fairly well, with a minimal accent (more Parisian than anything else). I can teach, and have done so.
Melissa, on a good day, can read a menu without too much difficulty. But teach? Please. And can you say "stereotypical American"?
Same degree, same environment, different student. Different results.
Now, move that to a black belt. Was getting the belt just passing a test, or did it involve actually taking the teaching to heart and mastering and adopting the concepts?
If the student really adopts everything and gets into it, he would seriously kick your tail. If the moves that he's learned are trained into his body, then you'll be in a world of hurt.
If, however, his belt comes from a school where they test everyone because they need a cash infusion, and everyone who tests miraculously passes, then the odds are that he does not have those moves really memorized. I consider this a "bought belt".
*pictures black belt saying, "Okay, a reverse punch. Let's see, how do I block that again?" *
There are also schools that teach martial arts with an eye toward combat, where the students focus more on "practical" use than they do on simple katas.
Add to the mix the fact that a true martial artist learns their craft to avoid conflict, and not to seek it out (certain characters in the Karate Kid movies included), and the apparent fact that he's using his status as a weapon indicates to me he's probably got a bought belt.
Look at another side: Who wins?
You're picking on someone four years younger than you, so if you lose, you got beat up by a freshman (or whatever). If you win, you're beating up on a little kid. All the other issues will be conveniently left out of people's discussions.
So who wins? Well, no matter the result, you lose. I'd stay out of it unless there's a really substantial personal reason involved. He says, "I can beat you up!" -- yep, you can. Hasta later. "You're a chicken -- yellow-bellied coward!" Smile and say "so?" Let it flow off you, and he's likely to get frustrated enough to either do something stupid, or to make a fool out of himself. Either way, you win.
Good luck.
*B*
Minister, etc. (ret.)
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