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:
Floyd Mayweather Jr files $175 million lawsuit against former associates and advisors
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 24 May 2026Christian Mbilli will defend his WBC super middleweight world title against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 12 in Saudi Arabia!
Sun, 24 May 2026Toro Promotions’ Trio victorious in Mexico
Sun, 24 May 2026Team USA Continues Dominant Run with 7-0 Performance on Day Six In Colombia
Sun, 24 May 2026The Punisher Ultramarathon in Samal on May 30-31
Sun, 24 May 2026Paciones fights Laspoña tomorrow at Elorde gym
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026STATEMENT MADE! AMARI “THE REAPER” JONES DEFEATS VINCENZO “IL CAPO” GUALTIERI IN IBF MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR
Sat, 23 May 2026Castillano stops Rosales in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026ProBoxTV Goes Global This Saturday with Two Action-Packed International Events Broadcast Live on One Sensational Saturday
Sat, 23 May 2026Oleksandr Usyk Returns Against Unknown Boxer on RING/DAZN PPV
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 23 May 2026Ayala Lardizabal stops Mama as IBA PRO 18 delivers dramatic night in Mexico City
Sat, 23 May 2026MF PRO Launches U.S. Boxing Debut with “Pugilist Revolution” Featuring "H2O" Sylve vs. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in Southern California Showdown
Sat, 23 May 2026Dela Cerna fights Lastimosa on June 21 in Muntilupa
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 May 2026USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad Posts Another Seven-Win Day in Colombia
Sat, 23 May 20262026 NBA Playoffs: Knicks Beat Cavaliers 109-93 Behind Hart’s Postseason Career-High 26 in East Finals
By Reylan Loberternos, Fri, 22 May 2026