Josh Taylor vacates WBC Super-lightweight title
Jose Zepeda vs Jose Ramírez ordered for the vacant Super Lightweight Championship
California's Zepeda (35-2, 27KO) is the current WBC Silver titleholder and Ramirez (27-1, 17KO), also from Cali, is the former WBC champion who was beaten by Taylor in May 2021.
The World Boxing Council received a letter from Josh Taylor's attorney in which he confirmed his decision to relinquish the WBC super-lightweight championship on the day that purse bids were called for Taylor vs Zepeda.
The WBC did not seem at all pleased with the late notice, stating: "The WBC truly regrets having lost so much time and having mandatory contender Jose Zepeda frozen as well as other fighters in the division.
However, they wished their former champion well: "We wish Josh Taylor success in his future inside and outside the ring. The WBC hereby orders Jose Zepeda vs Jose Carlos Ramirez fight for the vacant super lightweight championship of the world."
The 31-year-old Scot issued a statement to explain his decision: "I've got massive respect for the WBC and want to thank them for everything they have done for me. At this moment, I would not be able to commit to this defence so soon after getting married. I hope to be able to compete for a WBC title again in the future when the time is right. I wish all the best to Zepeda and Ramirez in competing for this title."
The highly-anticipated rematch with domestic rival Jack Catterall is still being discussed, with the warring pair constantly trading barbs on social media following their controversial fight in February this year, which saw 'The Tartan Tornado' win on split decision after being outboxed for most of the fight by the challenger known as 'El Gato'.
