Unbeaten Vernon Forrest retained his World Boxing Council welterweight title by recording a unanimous points victory over fellow American Shane Mosley on Saturday.

The three judges scored the bout 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111 as Forrest took his career record to 35 victories (26 knockouts) and no losses.

Twice former champion Mosley has 38 wins (35 knockouts) and two losses.

The fight had none of the fireworks of their first meeting six months ago, when Forrest scored two early knockdowns and used an accidental headbutt to beat the previously undefeated Mosley.

Mosley appeared tentative and did not throw enough punches.

The 6-foot Forrest used his three-inch height advantage and effective counter-punching to neutralise Mosley's powerful left hook, which he never unleashed.

Considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world before his two losses to Forrest, Mosley may now have to move up a weight to jump-start his career.

He also had trouble making the 147-pound limit.

"Evander Holyfield lost. Sugar Ray Leonard lost," Mosley said.

"A lot of people have lost and come back and done great things."