Was this abuse or just a bad relationship?

When I broke up with my boyfriend, I reminded him that he verbally abused me during the last 6 months of our relationship (cursing, criticizing in private and sometimes in public, yelling, etc.) and during our last fight, he bruised my arm. He also grabbed me hard early in our relationship but didn't cause a bruise but did make a bright red mark on me for about a week.

He told me that "as you know, we are both passionate people and you know I never intentionally hurt you". Is this just a denial of abuse or did I go too far in accusing him?

In either event, he is out of my life but would like to know for future reference.

thanks.