Japan's Nihito Arakawa, the WBC's top ranked lightweight, failed to win the division's interim title on Saturday, losing a unanimous decision to third-ranked American Omar Figueroa.
Arakawa hit the canvas twice and despite battling on, Figueroa was a clear winner in the fight in San Antonio, Texas with a score of 119-107, 118-108 and 118-108.
Arakawa has a record of 24 wins, 16 by knockout, with three losses and one draw. Figueroa has won 22 of his 23 fights with one draw. He has 17 knockouts.