Anthony Mundine has retained his WBA super middleweight world title for the third time with a decisive, unanimous points decision over Nader Hamdan at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

The fight went the distance and was a worthy title showdown, but Mundine was always in control, the judges scoring the bout 120-108, 117-111 and 119-109 in his favour.

Hamdan lived up to his nickname of 'Lionheart', fighting on courageously and having the odd moment after finally earning a world title chance, but he never looked like causing the upset as Mundine improved his record to 31-3.

Hamdan repeatedly found himself on the receiving end of some impressive Mundine combinations and couldn't keep up with The Man's speed, skill and power for any sustained period.

He certainly has his critics, but there is no doubting Mundine's ability in the ring and he keeps improving.

But having overcome injury and worked his way back to his optimum shape, the time has surely come for Mundine to test himself against some of the biggest names in the fight game.

"Nader 'Lionheart' Hamdan. He gave me a great performance," Mundine said after the fight.

"Once again the critics who said it was a mis-match, you all saw a great fight tonight.

"I thought it was going to go 12 rounds.

"He prepared like never before and he wasn't coming in with the mindset of being stopped."

Hamdan enjoyed a healthy amount of support from the crowd, who roared their approval when he entered the ring, although Mundine supporters just held sway.

And it was Mundine who started the strongest, showing the type of poise and patience from the opening bell that has resulted in two world titles.

Hamdan is no mug, having won 40 of his previous 45 fights before tonight, and his best moments came when he was able to stay close to The Man.

But whenever Mundine backed off and created space, he picked off Hamdan at will.

Mundine opened a cut under Hamdan's eye in the seventh round and while The Man tired towards the end of the fight, he still finished the strongest and was a clear winner.

Mundine must now turn his attentions to some bigger fights against better-credentialled opponents.

One super middleweight target, undefeated Welshman Joe Calzaghe, has moved up to light heavyweight for a fight against American veteran Bernard Hopkins in April.

Current middleweight king Kelly Pavlik and his great rival in the division, fellow American Jermain Taylor, are considering a move to super middleweight and could be targets.

A re-match with Mikkel Kessler, the last man to beat Mundine, would also be a possibility.

Mundine has been treading carefully since overcoming a bicep injury and an eye infection over the past 12 months, but if The Man is to truly count himself amongst the world's best, it is time to take it to the next level.

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