That is what makes the punch up between Nine Network CEO David Gyngell and billionaire James Packer so fascinating. They’ve known each other forever, although the past six months or so has been apparently fraught with tension reportedly over James’ decision to separate from his wife Erica, the mother to their three children.
Traditionally, men come to blows about three things – territory, money and women, especially if you throw alcohol into the mix. But there was apparently no alcohol involved in the confrontation between Packer and Gyngell, two of the most competitive, bullish and confrontational blokes you could ever hope to meet.
Gynge, as he is known by just about everyone, has a reputation for never backing down, and James packer is pretty much the same, only bigger.
Their stoush on Sunday afternoon had something to do with a phone call, a Channel Nine van and some pretty fiery abuse from both sides. But whatever provided the immediate spark for the clash, tensions between the two have been simmering for months according to those close to the former flatmates.
One of those issues is apparently Packer’s decision to separate from Erica. But it’s not the only issue. And it’s not about money or business, say friends.
But it is personal. Stingingly so, it seems, and obviously deep enough to spark a wild bout of street brawling between a billionaire and the mate who was best man at his wedding to Erica in 2007 – not because they hate each, not because they want to see each other bleed, but presumably because somewhere under those gruff exteriors perhaps they care about each other.
Nothing cuts quite so deep as criticism from your best mate. He’s the one who is supposed to stand by you, no matter what. But if he doesn’t agree with you or thinks you’re flushing your life down the toilet, tempers flare and sometimes boil over into violence.
Of course, they might have been able to talk it over before taking a swing at each other. But the time for talking was obviously done. You have to remember that on the mean streets of Blokeville, testosterone trumps intelligence and rationality every time.
In a joint statement released this morning, they said: “we have been friends for 35 years and still are”.
“In that time, we have had our fair share of ups and downs. We respect each other and neither of us will be commenting further.”
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