Anthony Mundine lands a left jab to the head of Sam Soliman © AFP

Before a semi-packed crowd at the Vodafone Arena in Melbourne, Anthony Mundine won a unanimous decision over Sam Soliman to retain the WBA "regular" super middleweight title. It was their third meeting and Mundine also won the previous two encounters. The scores were 116-112, 116-112 and 117-112.

Soliman was said to have started quickly to win the early rounds, but began to break down from Mundine's much harder punches and showed a lot of wear by the seventh. He tried to rally in the final three-rounds, but the stronger Mundine was able to hold him off without a problem.

The decision did not sit well with Soliman or his corner. They began protest the scores once they were officially announced.

"I told you again I am the superior fighter," Mundine said.

Mundine is now expected to vacate the title in order to avoid a rematch with mandatory contender Mikkel Kessler. He plans to drop down in weight to the middleweight division, hoping to land bouts with Winky Wright and Kelly Pavlik. He needs a challenge and he needs it soon. Even Australian boxing fans are tired of watching him batter mismatched/overmatched opponents. The 12,000 seat arena for the Soliman bout was said to have been two thirds full at best.