“Sugar” Shane Mosley claimed the WBA welterweight title, knocking out Mexican Antonio Margarito Saturday night at the Staples Center.

The 37-year-old Mosley, using his superior quickness, scored a technical knockout 43 seconds into the ninth round.

Mosley, who twice beat Oscar De La Hoya, was considered too old to defeat Margarito, but the veteran softened up his opponent with a series of blistering combinations.

In the 8th round, the referee counted toward ten, but Margarito was eventually saved by the bell.
The bout was stopped quickly in the ninth round, as the “Tijuana Tornado” had no defense for Mosley’s punching.

According to AP, both fighters earned around $2.4 million.

“It was my strategy, my focus, my game plan,” Mosley said when asked what won the fight. It was a tough fight, but it was a great plan. It was my left hook. I caught (Fernando) Vargas with it, I caught (Richardo) Mayorga with it.

“He’s a tough fighter, he had a lot of endurance. I prepared very hard, I trained hard. He was very powerful, but he couldn’t resist my rhythm.”

This was one of the most impressive wins of Mosley’s career.