Margarito fought Shane Mosley on January 24, 2009 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California to defend his WBA title and for the vacant Lineal Welterweight Championship of "Lineal Champs" and "Cyber Boxing Zone (CBZ)". "The Ring" did not recognize this bout for its vacant Welterweight Championship despite the fact it pitted "The Ring" #1 ranked welterweight, Antonio Margarito, vs. "The Ring" #3 ranked welterweight, Shane Mosley. Coming in the bout, Margarito had just stopped the previous "The Ring" #1 ranked welterweight and current "The Ring" #2 ranked welterweight, Miguel Cotto. In the fight, Margarito was battered and outclassed by Mosley and lost the fight and his WBA title by 9th-round technical knockout.