Antonio Margarito has risen to be number one in his native Mexico, following in the footsteps of such highly acclaimed fighters as Julio Cesar Chavez, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera.

The man known as “the Tijuana Tornado” earned that unofficial honor six months ago, when he stopped previously unbeaten Puerto Rican star Miguel Cotto in the 11th round to claim the WBA welterweight title.

“To be number one in Mexico is a great honor,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Thursday. “He worked hard for it, he fought everybody to get there. He’s so beloved in Mexico because of the way he gutted out.
“He’s taken the mantle that Chavez had. Chavez had it, then Morales and Barrera. Now, it’s Margarito’s.”

Margarito knows that to remain No. 1 he has to keep winning. He’ll get his first opportunity on Saturday night when he defends his 147-pound title against well-traveled Shane Mosley at Staples Center. Promoters Arum and Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Productions, forecast a sellout crowd of more than 18,000.