Oleksandr Usyk didn’t have to dash to the hospital after triumphing over Tyson Fury this time around – in stark contrast from what allegedly happened in the aftermath of his initial win against the Brit back in May.

The 37-year-old secured another win over the ‘Gypsy King’ on Saturday (December 21) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, taking a unanimous decision victory that let him retain his undisputed heavyweight crown.

His post-bout appearance was less battle-worn, showing much lighter evidence of the ring war compared to the heavy bruising and cuts from his May encounter with Fury.

In the rematch, the Ukrainian seemed to sail through with lesser damage, reflected in the judges’ unanimous 116-112 scorecards in his favor.

While Fury had alluded to Usyk being hospitalized after their first showdown with a rumored broken jaw, the reigning champ dismissed such claims, although he did confess to feeling the physical toll of their ferocious opening battle, reports the Mirror.

Post-fight earlier in the year, Usyk admitted: “Yes, I have a little bit of a problem but I have problems with my fist, my back, my whole body because it’s a hard fight, 47 minutes.”

Despite the meticulous planning by Fury this time around, which went as far as avoiding any contact with his wife Paris for three months during training, he couldn’t get the upper hand over his rival. Now, speculation swirls on whether Fury’s inability to defeat Usyk will push him to hang up his gloves.

Oleksandr Usyk sustained heavy damage during his win over Tyson Fury

The 37-year-old suffered heavy damage at the hands of Fury in their first fight ( 

Image:

Instagram/@usykaa)

Usyk was sporting some bruises underneath both eyes following his win over Fury on Saturday

Usyk looked to be in better condition after Saturday’s bout, compared to May ( 

Image:

Getty Images)

Fury, 36, showed clear aggravation over his back-to-back losses to the Kyiv native, slamming Usyk’s unanimous win as a “Christmas gift” from the judges. “I feel like I won both fights,” Fury stated.

“I know I had to knock him out but it’s boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight. Frank [Warren] had me three or four rounds up and a lot of people had me up by at least two.”

Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, mirrored the boxer’s disappointment, expressing confusion over the judges’ verdict. “I’m dumbfounded at how they [judges] scored it,” the founder of Queensbury Promotions said. “His jabbing was superb, his footwork was superb, he wasn’t slow. He was very evasive.”

In an electrifying scene post-fight, IBF heavyweight champ Daniel Dubois charged into the ring encouraging Usyk to agree to a rematch following his defeat by knockout to the Ukrainian last year.