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:
DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
By Eric Armit, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Results from Dominican Republic: Alberto Puello Stops Ángel Bolaño in 3
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Matchroom Boxing reveals major fights in UK & Ireland schedule from August to October
Tue, 21 Jul 2026Colombia National Congress Awarded "Kid Pambelé" with Grand Cross Knight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 21 Jul 2026