Challenged to start fighting, indeed (6)

I believe the answer is:

defied

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'challenged' is the definition.
(defying is a kind of challenging)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for defied that I've seen before include "Openly refused to obey" , "Resisted, disregarded" , "Was disobedient to" , "Challenged or braved" , "Boldly refused to obey" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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