This is a US based site - so any generic answer might not apply to you at all.

Provoked doesn't count - unless you're thinking of self defense, which by your own story this wasn't.

Your actions prior to the battery certainly don't speak of avoidance. You called him twice, knew he was going to the mall, and still you chose to go there too, where you "just happened" to run across him? Then assaulted him? Whether it's true or not, it's sure going to sound to a jury like you showed up just looking for a fight.