Forgetting about everything else...
Forgetting about your long time friend...
Forgetting AA and past or present sobriety...
Forgetting about how this new guy treats you now...
I would be VERY suspicious about a guy that says "before" he would have punched someone in the face over a work dispute.
That's violent, criminal behavior. That's the kind of thing you spend serious time in jail for.
That's not just a red flag - that's a flashing red warning sign saying DANGER.
Please be very careful.