Talks are progressing for Jack Catterall to face former unified junior welterweight champion Jose Carlos Ramirez, with May 30 in Fresno, California, emerging as the likely date and location.
Catterall, who is ranked No. 1 with the WBO following his November stoppage victory over Ekow Essuman, has been pushing for a shot at world honors. The current WBO welterweight titleholder is Devin Haney, who collected the belt with a dominant win over Brian Norman Jr. and has since been granted a voluntary defense. Haney has not yet been ordered to face Catterall.
Rather than wait indefinitely for a mandated title opportunity, Catterall appears poised to stay active against Ramirez. The two were previously linked at 140 pounds when Ramirez held the WBO junior welterweight title and Catterall was mandatory. However, Ramirez lost the belt to Josh Taylor in their 2021 undisputed clash, a fight Catterall stepped aside to allow.
Catterall later challenged Taylor for all four belts in 2022, losing a highly controversial split decision. Now, years after their paths first nearly crossed, Catterall and Ramirez could finally meet in what would be a significant bout for both men.
“We are continuing talks for Jack Catterall against Jose Ramirez,” promoter Eddie Hearn said. “That fight could take place in California at the end of May.”
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