grapple

anchorage, leverage, purchase

grab, seizure

foothold, footing, toehold

clinch, embrace, hug

horse race, nail-biter

showdown

clash, collision, discord, friction

argument, controversy, debate, disagreement, disputation, dispute, dissension (also dissention), quarrel, row, wrangle

battle, clash (with), combat, contend, duel, fight, war (against)

bash, batter, beat, buffet, hit, punch, slug, strike

box, spar

brawl, skirmish

glove, halter, lasso, rope

apprehend, arrest, detain

bay, corner

clasp, clutch, fasten (on), fist, grasp, grip, hold, latch (on or onto), secure

rend, wrest

enmesh (also immesh), ensnare, entangle, entrap, mesh

abduct, kidnap, spirit (away or off)