So much of the fight's preamble was filled with Mundine's theatrics, and he didn't disappoint at the end of the fight by jumping on the ropes and claiming victory. 

But the 37-year-old challenger was met only with boos from the Sydney Entertainment Centre crowd and a scorecard which read 116-112, 117-111, 117-111 - all in favour of Geale.

Mundine was forced to chase a knockout in the final rounds after Geale dictated the tempo and landed the more precise blows. 

Geale hit the canvas in the penultimate round, but it was a slip rather than at Mundine's hand.

Despite Mundine's disappointment at the defeat, most commentators are tipping their hat to him for going the distance. 

This was not the Geale who Mundine beat in controversial circumstance three years ago, this was a deserved world champion. 

Images via Getty