Mundine used to play rugby league for the Dragons

Former rugby league player Anthony Mundine claimed the vacant WBA super middleweight title on Wednesday by winning a unanimous points decision over American Antwun Echols.

Mundine admitted after the bout that he had fought with a broken rib.

Two of the three judges had Mundine ahead 117-112 while Finland's Eraki Meronnen scored it 115-114 in favour of the Australian.

Echols' much vaunted punching power seldom bothered Mundine, although the 28-year-old admitted his opponent deserved a rematch.

"I've been carrying a broken rib for a month. I knew if I didn't fight a lot of questions would have been asked," said Mundine, who has lost only once in his 20 fights.

I am humbled in my achievements and I want to thank every single human being Anthony Mundine

"I had to duck him and dodge him and sometimes hold him, because he is so dangerous.

"Maybe people didn't understand me and thought I was a bit cocky when I was playing rugby and came to boxing.

"Everyone said I couldn't do it, everyone said it was a dream. I know my first shot at it was unsuccessful," he added.

It was Mundine's second shot at a world title after his unsuccessful 2001 effort against German Sven Ottke in Germany.