Hate to say it bud, but you really need better friends IMO. There is no way in this world I'd let a friend of mine take a beating like that. Trouble or no trouble. We'd take a beating together if nothing else. That just aint right in my book.
I don't want you to re-hash that awful moment. I was simply curious as to why your buddies didn't step in and atleast minimize the damage.
I hate people jumping into a fair fight, but to let your friend get beat on like that is not any better.
BTW, I want you to understand I'm not trying to be a jerk or tell you it's your fault for what happened. It was simply that the first thing that came to mind when you told the story was why your boys didn't help out. I know if my boys LET me get beat like that while they're standing there, I'd want to return the favor when I got back up.