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:
DAZN and Top Rank announce a landmark multi-year media rights deal bringing elite events and a storied archive to DAZN users worldwide
Thu, 19 Mar 2026Sampson Boxing Signs Top Junior Lightweight Contender Charly Suarez to a Promotional Contract
Thu, 19 Mar 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 MARCH 2026: Collazo Stops Haro; Fundora KO Ruiz; Barboza Outpoints Sims; Cacace UD Dickens
By Eric Armit, Wed, 18 Mar 2026Tapales Near Peak Form Ahead of April 3 Tokyo Showdown with Oguni
Wed, 18 Mar 2026MILLER AND PERO CLASH IN HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN IN LAS VEGAS ON APRIL 25
Wed, 18 Mar 2026Middleweight Championship Battle Between (C) Khamzat Chimaev and (#3) Sean Strickland Headlines UFC® 328 at Prudential Center Live on Paramount+
Wed, 18 Mar 2026Sampson Lewkowicz & TM Boxing Sign Undefeated Mexican Prospect José Ángel Guerrero to Co-Promotional Deal
Wed, 18 Mar 202612-Time World Champion & Hall of Famer James Toney Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 18 Mar 2026Five stitches for Donaire’s cut
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 17 Mar 2026Roberto Gomez Training Camp Notes
Tue, 17 Mar 2026Esneth Domingo Trains at the Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles Ahead of His US Debut
Tue, 17 Mar 2026Tatay Digong Birthday Run on March 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 17 Mar 202612-0 prospect Marco Romero to headline This Friday in Independence, Missouri
Tue, 17 Mar 2026700 athletes on March 21-22 at UM
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 17 Mar 2026United States Earns Four Gold Medals on Final Day of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup
Mon, 16 Mar 2026