Pole and Cuban possibly perhaps crossed swords

• Boxed while training
• Boxed; argued
• Practiced judo, say
• Engaged in a war of the words
• Engaged in repartee
• Had a wordy wrangle
• Trained with gloves
• Quarreled

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
See spar

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spar \Spar\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sparred ; p. pr. & vb. n. Sparring .] [Of uncertain origin; cf. OF. esparer to kick, F. ['e]parer, or Icel. sperra to stretch out the legs, to struggle.] To strike with the feet or spurs, as cocks do. To use the fists ...