The WBO has declined Devin Haney's request to be an extension to find himself in a world title fight for the WBO junior welterweight title.
As reported by ProBox TV News yesterday, the WBO ordered a fight between junior welterweights Arnold Barboza Jr., versus Jose Ramirez for the vacant WBO junior welterweight title. This had two caveats; one if Teofimo Lopez gave notice within 24 hours to keep his title, Lopez would face Barboza - and two, if Devin Haney decided to move up to the 140-lbs division he would get the shot against Barboza Jr. It appears Haney has now lost his chance at the WBO junior welterweight title, at least for now.
So this sets the stage for Barboza Jr., and Ramirez to face each other for the vacant junior welterweight world title, which one would assume would occur in the fall. That is if Lopez doesn't appear in the eleventh hour stating he'd like to defend his world title. An interesting subplot of Barboza Jr., versus Ramirez, is that they share the same manager in Rick Mirigian, and Ramirez is on the final fight of his Top Rank contract, whereas Barboza's contract could be expiring soon as well.
"Lastly, be advised that the WBO reserves its right to issue all further rulings deem necessary, helpful, and convenient to accomplish the purposes, policies, and intent of the WBO Regulations of World Championship Contests, including serving those interests that best serve the professional boxing and the WBO Jr. Welterweight Division."
Barboza Jr, who won the WBO Inter-Continental light welterweight title last summer when he defeated Danielito Zorrilla, which gave him his high ranking in the WBO junior welterweight division, returned in February to defeat two-division world champion, Jose Pedraza.
Ramirez since losing his unified junior welterweight world titles to Josh Taylor in an undisputed fight in 2021, is on a two-fight win streak with wins over Jose Pedraza and recently Ramirez knocked out Richard Commey in the eleventh round of their main event card in Fresno, California.
