Fight Directing Mice and Men

Chris Hall - Fight Choreographer - Curly/Carlson
The violence in Steinbeck's classic novel is not just the hooks thrown from Curly and the neck massage of Curly's wife. The entire atmosphere is underlying with a tension of characters out for themselves along with racist, sexist and greedy motives.
The setting of physically fit labouring men, working themselves into a grave with nothing to do except spend their wage in the first week of receiving it - the frustration and desire to spice up the days events is like John Wayne drunkenly trying to uncock his Colt .45
When Curly finally slams his firsts into Lennie's jaw its not even because of his aggression toward "big guys", he has been in a verbal conflict between Slim only moments before and loses heavily in front of the men employed by his father. He is enraged and therefore must gain back what credibility he can and Lennie's laugh is his motive to unleash his rage.
The fight does not need to be too long. Just enough to demonstrate the boxer stance and precision of the character Curly. Lennie should sustain as much as possible, he is built heavily and strong in stance so would be able to take several hard blows in succession, this would also give the audience a chance to see his true gentle side before George orders him to "sock em!"
The hand crush can be slow, let the audience take that moment in and allow them to see the sudden change of panic to fury in Lennie, followed by the frustration and despair from Curly.