Jose Ramirez vs. Jack Catterall - May 2026?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Jose Carlos Ramirez could be pressed with a hard choice to make.

Staying true to its word, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has ordered Ramirez—the unified WBC/WBO junior welterweight titlist—to honor a mandatory title defense obligation versus England’s Jack Catterall. The ruling comes less than 48 hours after Ramirez (26-0, 17KOs) narrowly edged Ukraine’s Viktor Postol (31-3, 12KOs) in a 12-round win this past Saturday to clear his WBC mandatory.

“Please be advised that on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, this Committee granted sanction approval of the WBO & WBC Unified Jr. Welterweight Championship Contest between Jose Ramirez and Viktor Postol, with the provision that the winner must face WBO Jr. Welterweight Mandatory Challenger Jack Catterall within 120-days after the bout,” Luis Batista-Salas, chairman of the WBO championship committee noted to representaties for Ramirez and Catterall in an official letter, a copy of which has been obtained by BS.com. “The official sanction letter was duly notified to Top Rank Promotions via email on Thursday, August 27, 2020.

“Therefore, in light of the preceding, the parties have twenty days (20) upon receipt of this letter to negotiate and reach an agreement between the WBO Jr. Welterweight Champion Jose Carlos Ramirez and Mandatory Challenger Jack Catterall.”

Ramirez is represented by Top Rank, while Catteral fights under the Queensberry Promotions. Their respective promoters, Bob Arum and allegedly were directly notified by the sanctioning body to begin negotiations on Monday, due to conclude by September 20 before being subject to a purse bid hearing.

Ramirez inherited the WBO mandatory following his 6th round knockout of Maurice Hooker in their unification battle between unbeaten titlists last July in Arlington, Texas. A fight between Ramirez and Catterall (25-0, 13KOs) was initially ordered last August, though with both parties reaching an agreement which allowed Postol and the WBC to go first.

Efforts to schedule a Ramirez-Postol clash saw two postponements due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic before seeing the light of day this past weekend in Las Vegas. The preceding delays pushed back everyone’s timeline, including the sanctioning bodies who are prepared to honor what was already confirmed in writing in order to ensure full representation.

“If an accord is not reached within the time frame stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered according to our WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests,” notes Batista-Salas. “The minimum acceptable bid in the WBO Jr. Welterweight Division is $150,000.00 (One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.”

Catterall was retroactively named WBO mandatory last January, three months after outpointing Ohara Davies in October 2018. Two fights have since come for the 27-year old southpaw from Lancashire, England, including a 10-round decision over Timo Schwarkopf last November in Dubai.

The unbeaten Brit has made it clear that he plans to next fight for the title and will not accept step-aside money.

[Ruthless-RKO]

This is a long time coming.

WBO should have have Hooker vs. Catterall. He had been mando for ages.

Hooker obviously got a decent payday against Ramirez.

[world ranked]

Nobody wants to see this over Taylor-Ramirez thought I think he should have got his shot over Postol.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nobody wants to see this over Taylor-Ramirez thought I think he should have got his shot over Postol.

Postol was WBC mando wasn’t he?

[margaret thatcher]

Undisputed champs often don't hang around for long or at all to make defenses after. Good chance the winner of Ram-Taylor would move up to 147 right after, leaving a bunch of belts, and presumably one that Cat would fight a more beatable opponent for.

So taking some extra step aside, then getting an easier title shot may not be so bad. I wonder how much he'd make to fight Ramirez now

[Delta Jay]

Jack has blown hot and cold but he is 100% world level on his day. Very happy for him if this comes off. I think he could beat Ramirez but wouldn’t bet on him against JT, but would happily pay to see any of them fights!

Let’s go

[margaret thatcher]

Both beat him comfortably, he's too one-paced and lacking any sort of notable raw talent at world level

[Delta Jay]

Both beat him comfortably, he's too one-paced and lacking any sort of notable raw talent at world level

Beg to differ Magz! He’s a good slick southpaw and I think he’d be kryptonite to Ramirez. He’s looked proper sensational on the odd night and would box of his skin in his first world title tilt

[margaret thatcher]

When has he looked sensational? I can't say he's really risen to the occasion vs his best opponents either....the fight with Davies was just awful, and after early kds he slept it in vs McKenna.

Just don't see him bringing enough--if he's not outgunned for speed and power (which I think he is) he'll just get outworked by either guy (they both bring it). Add in that he's never boxed anywhere near that level and will presumably be boxing as the away fighter, and I'm having a hard time seeing it...

[Delta Jay]

When has he looked sensational? I can't say he's really risen to the occasion vs his best opponents either....the fight with Davies was just awful, and after early kds he just lumbered it vs McKenna.

Just don't see him bringing enough--if he's not outgunned for speed and power (which I think he is) he'll just get outworked by either guy (they both bring it). Add in that he's never boxed anywhere near that level, and I think it's a super tough one for him to win

I was ringside (and a bit pissed) when he beat Tom Stalker and again for Gethin, I remember saying to my mate that he looked brilliant

Fair enough big man, I think we’ll see his A game if he gets this shot. Can’t really argue with what you’ve said there tho

[Ruthless-RKO]

A lot of these Queensberry boys don’t really have tough eliminators, ones that prepare them for the world stage. He is a class operator, but he might fall flat, could even see a stoppage loss. Frank never really tests his boys, they comfortably get into a mando position winning the WBO Euro belt and other regional belts and become #1.. but that’s it.

I see Catterall winning a world title, he isn’t 30 yet is he?

I see him winning a vacant world title and not by beating Ramirez.

I want to get behind him cuz he’s not far local to me. Get some world title fights at the Manchester Arena again.

[Delta Jay]

A lot of these Queensberry boys don’t really have tough eliminators, ones that prepare them for the world stage. He is a class operator, but he might fall flat, could even see a stoppage loss. Frank never really tests his boys, they comfortably get into a mando position winning the WBO Euro belt and other regional belts and become #1.. but that’s it.

I see Catterall winning a world title, he isn’t 30 yet is he?

I see him winning a vacant world title and not by beating Ramirez.

I want to get behind him cuz he’s not far local to me. Get some world title fights at the Manchester Arena again.

Ok now THAT is something I could see happening really

[margaret thatcher]

Ya, wouldn't be surprised at all. The belts pretty much always free up when someone wins them all. Some step aside cash, a ticking over payday, then a much more winnable title fight vs Liam Paro......Cat can say he's defo fighting Ramirez, but there is something so Fwank about the other route and tbh it may well be the best for Cat

Anyway, that's just a hunch, he may well fight Ramirez but there is a lot for his side to like about holding out I think

[Delta Jay]

Ya, wouldn't be surprised at all. The belts pretty much always free up when someone wins them all. Some step aside cash, a ticking over payday, then a much more winnable title fight vs Liam Paro......Cat can say he's defo fighting Ramirez, but there is something so Fwank about the other route and tbh it may well be the best for Cat

I’ve always thought he’d end up fighting Paro, and even that isn’t a bad fight. We’ll see won’t we, it never plays out like the fans think it will...

[margaret thatcher]

Ya, Paro is way more beatable than Ramirez I think, but still has been a solid prospect in his own right. He will come with ambition and I'd like that fight more than Ramirez-Cat tbh. I think Cat would win that, but someone needs to be there to kick him in the arse if he's not working hard enough

Anyway, that's just a hunch, he may well fight Ramirez but there is a lot for his side to like about holding out I think

[skanksta]

He’s gotta be looking for step-aside money and a vacant belt, Shirley?

Jack’s what I call “alphabet class”. Good enough to win a “World Title” for sure - but only if it’s a vacant interim-WBA Emeritus type thing with a raucous MEN-type home advantage. (And maybe a dash of home-cooking too).

He’s just not beating Unified and Undisputed types like Taylor or Ramirez.
Although with the judges last night he might have a chance...!

[3132DW]

He’s gotta be looking for step-aside money and a vacant belt, Shirley?

Jack’s what I call “alphabet class”. Good enough to win a “World Title” for sure - but only if it’s a vacant interim-WBA Emeritus type thing with a raucous MEN-type home advantage. (And maybe a dash of home-cooking too).

He’s just not beating Unified and Undisputed types like Taylor or Ramirez.
Although with the judges last night he might have a chance...!

Is there money right now for step aside cash....the $ have dried up at all the big platforms with no crowds as well.

[THEBUTCH]

Postol is world class, Catterall isn't and has done little to earn a shot let alone occupy the mandatory slot.

Ramirez will beat Catterall all day long and Taylor would carve him up for a stoppage, unless he stinks the place out and goes in survival mode to last the distance.

Jack should be having an eliminator against someone like Anthony Yigit and prove his worth.

Ramirez and Taylor have solid credentials and have earned their stripes. Catterall has faced vastly inferior opposition and dished up some stale performances.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Postol is world class, Catterall isn't and has done little to earn a shot let alone occupy the mandatory slot.

Ramirez will beat Catterall all day long and Taylor would carve him up for a stoppage, unless he stinks the place out and goes in survival mode to last the distance.

Jack should be having an eliminator against someone like Anthony Yigit and prove his worth.

Ramirez and Taylor have solid credentials and have earned their stripes. Catterall has faced vastly inferior opposition and dished up some stale performances.

I know Catterall is much more experienced, but the same thing happened to Yarde. No real eliminators, just gradually got into the #1 WBO position and managed to get a shot at a shot Kovalev.. still lost that cuz he gassed and got KO’d by a jab.

As you said, Catterall needs a big test before the world stage.

[THEBUTCH]

It's a strange way to steer a boxer to world title shot and hope they are prepared for the jump up.

Yarde's was even worse than Catterall's. All we kept getting from Yarde was "have to remember, I had no amateur experience" then he went from boxing very ordinary opposition to being thrown in against a very good champion, who admittedly was ready for the taking. But with with Yarde there were no crunch fights, no British title fights and he was not ready for the task in hand.

Anthony did perform well having said that all that, but ended up exhausted, outclassed, outpunched and flat on his back from a jab.

[black panther]

It's a strange way to steer a boxer to world title shot and hope they are prepared for the jump up.

Yarde's was even worse than Catterall's. All we kept getting from Yarde was "have to remember, I had no amateur experience" then he went from boxing very ordinary opposition to being thrown in against a very good champion, who admittedly was ready for the taking. But with with Yarde there were no crunch fights, no British title fights and he was not ready for the task in hand.

Anthony did perform well having said that all that, but ended up exhausted, outclassed, outpunched and flat on his back from a jab.

Good example. If Yarde had been given stiffer tests on the way up, he might have had the experience necessary to take Kovalev out. Hopefully the fight didn't take too much out of him.

[Ruthless-RKO]

With Yarde there were no crunch fights, no British title fights and he was not ready for the task in hand.

Anthony did perform well having said that all that, but ended up exhausted, outclassed, outpunched and flat on his back from a jab.

See, now had he fought some British level or even Euro level LHW's, it may hve prepared him better for late rounds etc..

He didn't try to capture the commonwealth or British. No need to blame that on 'Hearn's stable had those belts".

He literally fought low level Eastern European boxers.

The ONLY name opponent he fought was Nikola Sjekloca.. But even he hadn't had a decent win. He was only knwon for his losses to Sakio Bika, Arthur Abraham, Callum Smith and Tyron Zeuge and the fact that he went the distance each time. Was 39 years old by time he fought Yarde.

[keirw]

Catterall is a talented kid, but I have seen nothing thus far to suggest he can beat either Ramirez or Taylor.

But he does strike me as a guy who can up his game if and when he needs to, so I am half expecting to be pleasently surprised by him when he does finally get a shot.

[THEBUTCH]

Shouldn't Cattrrall have dazzled against O'Hara Davies ?

Just look at the stunning performance Josh Taylor executed against Davies. Taylor had world class written all over him that night

[black panther]

Catterall is a talented kid, but I have seen nothing thus far to suggest he can beat either Ramirez or Taylor.

But he does strike me as a guy who can up his game if and when he needs to, so I am half expecting to be pleasently surprised by him when he does finally get a shot.

Always looks like he's in 2nd or 3rd gear does Catterall. But then makes hard work of fights when it would seem that if he put his foot on the gas, could get the guy out of there or win clearly.

Maybe he doesn't have another gear. I reckon he just gets out worked by Ramirez unless he manages to time him perfectly coming in.

Catterall probably punches harder than his record suggests, he just doesn't seem to go for the finish much.