Ramirez Ordered by WBO to Defend Against Catterall

By Carlos Costa

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, but If fans are asked, they’d rather have Jose Ramirez, a headlining Top Rank fighter, against more popular hard-hitting Scottish WBA/IBF Super Lightweight World Champion Josh Taylor (16-0, 12 KO’s).

They’d prefer Ramirez vs Taylor in part because normally fans love to watch a champion vs a champion in unification fights.

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.

Yes, Ramirez vs Taylor is the logical fight, the one boxing fans would prefer. But we all know that fans not always get what they want.

It’s still unknown what Bob Arum – the promoter of Jose Ramirez – will have to say about this. Maybe no problem. Maybe problem. 🧐

In the meantime, Taylor, 29, is scheduled to defend his WBA/IBF belts in a few weeks time against a 🇹🇭 Thai challenger.

Provided that Taylor retains titles (as widely expected), what will Ramírez’s handlers do?

Would they quickly comply with the WBO and begin negotiations to fight Jack Catterall?

Or will they’ll rather drop the WBO belt and go on to fight Taylo for three belts only? 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. ✋

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The author Carlos Costa is a boxing reporter living in Cebu. Carlos can be reached on Twitter: @CarlosCostaBox and Whatsapp: 09184538152.

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