Vic Darchinyan became the first three-belt unified champion of the super-flyweight division when knocking out Cristian Mijares at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California on Saturday.

The 'Raging Bull' was considered the underdog by many shrewd judges going into the contest, but dominated the fight before it was stopped in the ninth round.

The Australian took advantage as Mijares moved backwards, landing a huge left hook to send the Mexican to the canvas.

That was in the third minute of the ninth, and at the time all three judges had the fight scored 79-72 in favour of the southpaw.

"Each round I caught him with a left hand, (but) I didn't go stupid, I promised everyone I'd make it a skilled fight," Darchinyan told Reuters after the fight.

He is now 31-1-1 for his career, with 25 of those wins achieved by way of knockout, and now has the WBA and WBC super flyweight titles to go along with his IBF belt.

"I've never fought anyone with his style," Mijares said. "He came at me like a (Mexican fighter) and I didn't use my head."