Neither of them were very good at keeping their tempers in check, or playing very fair. In one way, at least they weren't hurting anyone else. And they both seemed to know how much to give to the other.
At the end, Richard was splayed on his back, knowing a few things were broken, and exhausted. He was coughing up blood, but he knew he'd given as good as he'd gotten. And at least he felt a little better.