Ramirez Ordered by WBO to Defend Against Catterall
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 01 Sep 2020
Ramirez (L) defeats Postol last weekend in Las Vegas.
Fresh from his 12-round unanimous decision victory over tough Ukrainian veteran Viktor Postol, WBC/WBO super lightweight world champion Jose Ramirez (26-0, 17 KO's) has been ordered by the WBO to defend against Briton mandatory challenger Jack Catterall (25-0, 13 KO's) next.
However, the undefeated 28-year-old Mexican-American from California has been rather interested in unifying all four major super lightweight belts in a hot winner-takes-it-all multi-belt battle against unbeaten Scottish WBA/IBF Super Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor, probably in Britain.
Jack Catterall is a really good 140-pounder, no doubt about it. But If fans are asked, they'd rather have Jose Ramirez, a headlining Top Rank fighter, against the more popular hard-hitting Scottish WBA/IBF Super Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor (16-0, 12 KO's).
Fans would prefer Ramirez vs Taylor in part because normally fans love to watch a champion vs a champion in unification fight.
Also because of Taylor's credentials as a former Olympian in the 2012 Olympic Games who last year defeated Regis Prograis to lift the Muhammad Ali Trophy as the winner of the World Boxing Super Series in the Super Lightweight division.
Josh Taylor (R) wins over Regis Prograis in the WBSS tournament.
Yes, Ramirez vs Taylor is the natural, logical, hot fight, the one boxing fans would prefer. But we all know that fans do not always get what they want.
We still don't know what Bob Arum - the promoter of Jose Ramirez - will have to say about WBO's order. Maybe no problem. Maybe a problem. 🧐
In the meantime, Josh Taylor, 29, is scheduled to defend his WBA/IBF belts in a few weeks time against an unbeaten Thai challenger in a Frank Warren promotion in London.
Provided that the southpaw Taylor retains his titles (as widely expected), what would Ramírez handlers do?
Would they quickly comply with the WBO order and begin negotiations to fight Jack Catterall?
Or will they'll rather make the decision to drop the WBO belt and go on to fight Taylor for only three belts? Or something else? 🧐
Lets find out what will unfold with Ramirez, Taylor, Catterall, the super lightweight division, and who will fight who. 👍 Will keep you posted. ✋
The author Carlos Costa is a veteran boxing reporter living in Cebu. Carlos can be reached on Twitter: @CarlosCostaBox, or whatsapp: 09184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Mindoro beats Mexican, stays undefeated
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Panamanian Government, Roberto "Hands of Stone" Durán, and the Mexican Márquez Brothers Join Forces for Amateur Boxing Megaproject
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Alex Eala advances to Birmingham Open finals
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Santé Barley Trilogy Run Asia 2026 Davao Leg 2
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 07 Jun 2026Casimero stops Nery in 4th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Edward Vazquez keeps title hopes alive by winning razor-thin unanimous decision over Daniel Lugo in Main Event of ProBoxTV
Sat, 06 Jun 2026LABAN PILIPINAS! Kenneth Llover Ready to KO His Way to a World Title Shot
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Nery Does It Again: Overweight, But Casimero Says Let’s Fight!
By Carlos Costa, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Undefeated Gabriela Tellez to Challenge Elif Nur Turhan for IBF Lightweight World Title June 13 in Glendale, AZ
Sat, 06 Jun 2026SHEFFIELD FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS, FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER FOR PADLEY VS FIAZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 06 Jun 2026Bruce “2.0” Seldon Jr.: From a Champion’s Son to Heavyweight Headliner
Sat, 06 Jun 2026Mexican fighter ¨Artillero¨Rodriguez passes away after suffering brain injury on weekend fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 06 Jun 2026NEGROS OCCIDENTAL PILLARS CROWNED SBA SEASON 2 CHAMPIONS
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 06 Jun 2026Weights from Japan: Llover - 117.7 lbs., Angeletti - 117.5 lbs.
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 05 Jun 2026Antonio Vargas Locked in for Career-Defining Title Defense Against Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez as Training Camp Winds Down
Fri, 05 Jun 2026