Anthony Mundine defeated Sam Soliman to capture the vacant World Boxing Association super-middleweight title Wednesday, in a battle of countrymen.

Mundine knocked out Soliman in the ninth to capture the title, and he upped his record to 28-3 with 22 knockouts.

“I told you I’m the best man,” Mundine said to the AP. “I just want to say to all my fans, ‘I love you.’ To all my critics, you can call me ‘two-time.’”

The 31-year-old Mundine, now on a five-fight win streak after losing to Mikkel Kessler in 2005, held the WBA championship when he downed Antwun Echols in 2003. In his second defense, he lost to Manny Siaca in May 2004.

Soliman, age 33, is now 33-9 with 13 knockouts.

His stock had risen when he gave a good account of himself in a December 2005 loss to Winky Wright. Soliman showed admirable pluck after being kayoed.

“[Being knocked out] is part of the sport,” Soliman said to the AP. “I know that I can come back again strong, I promise. I’m an Aussie battler.”