well kid, if you didn't get in writing, I don't care what state you are in, you are more than likely screwed...if it were important enough to make the deal, then you should have drawn up a contract. You can download a copy of just about any contract, get creditable witnesses and notary, and there you go...but you didn't do that did you...lesson learned...as for the beating him up, that will also you cost you in the end as well, so I would count my losses and move on...