The sound that Akatan's fist makes as it contacts Skellig's face (flesh meeting flesh, and those close enough might hear the crack of bone - whether from Akatan's hand or Skellig's orbital bone is unclear) is loud enough to catch the attention of anyone in the crowd that might not have been paying attention. The initial flash of red-white-red in his vision is enough to very briefly stun him, and knock him off balance, and he stumbles back.

Someone yells.

He can feel the swelling in his (previously good) eye almost immediately render that side of his vision useless, but he shifts his focus to his hearing - he ducks the second punch, and then shouts, slamming his own fists into Akatan's torso one-two before he feels himself get hit in the chest.

(He could easily let his talons out, let himself shift into his true form, but he doesn't - because he wants to do this 'fair'.)

Another hit in the face, and then Skellig lunges to tackle Akatan, intent on taking him to the ground.