There are a lot of people saying how they'd get up and fight. I think most people who hasn't said that, are much more realistic, and know those talking are just talking. Having been in a number of fights, as well as being beaten down I can assure you, you will not get up after the first hit, if it's a good hit and the other person doesn't want you to get up. I have been confronted by a gang of people once. Got hit on the side of my head (cheapshot, from behind and left), by the time I get my senses (maybe 1 second if you're tough), they already landed another 10 punches on me (maybe 8 guys). The most you can do is buckle down and take it until it breaks.
The only thing I can say as a "what I would have done," is that after as many confrontations as I have been apart of, I never go into a confrontation thinking it is just for show...always go into it thinking it is going to go down and be ready to fight. Also I never go into a fight, if I think the other person has a knife or a gun. I would have when I was younger (dumber and more brash). Another thing I have learned is never let the other person hit first. When I was younger, I usually needed to be provoked to attack, but I've been in situations where the first punch was a severe advantage. If I think the other person would attack, and their actions warranted an attack, I definitely start. If you get into a confrontation, and the other guy has a weapon like a skateboard, you should have a weapon too (it sounds like rhetoric, but enough experience tells me not to let myself be in that drunk guys position). Don't expect him not to use it. And if you do have a weapon, like a knife, as many "strong-arm ATers" have suggested, you better ask yourself honestly: are you ready to use it, are you ready to st@b this guy, or s!it his throat, because if you aren't, don't bring it.
Personally, I have never been ready to kill anybody for any reason. Luckily never in that situation.