Terence Crawford Vs. Viktor Postol Preview: Winner Will Be Crowned Undisputed Ring 140 lb. Champion
When highly touted Junior Welterweight titleholders Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol square off Saturday, July 23, much will be at stake. Crawford (28-0 22 KO) will look to secure his second Ring Magazine championship in as many divisions. The 28-year-old Nebraska native previously garnered Ring honors as a 135-lb campaigner.
Overall, Crawford has made six defenses of his Lightweight and Super-Lightweight WBO crown. The 2014 BWAA Fighter of The Year is also ranked #6 pound-for-pound by the Bible of Boxing.
Meanwhile, fellow undefeated 140-lb titlist Viktor Postol (28-0 12 KO) will attempt to play spoiler against his second consecutive high-profile opponent: while unifying the WBC/WBO and Ring 140-lb titles.
The 32-year-old Ukraine native, fighting out of Hollywood, shocked the boxing world after scoring a brutally precise 2015 knockout over former division wrecking machine Lucas Matthysse.
Like his celebrated counterpart, Postol has yet to taste defeat within the squared circle. Both world-class pugilists combine for a sterling record of 58-0. However, Postol comes in as a relative underdog at +350, while Crawford enjoys the comfortable fight-week betting-line cushion of -540.
When Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol meet Saturday, July 26 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on HBO pay-per-view, an undisputed lineal light-welterweight champion will be crowned.
Size matters:
In the case of Viktor Postol, this old adage rings resoundingly true. Standing at 5’11 and sporting a near 74-inch reach, Postol holds a crucial size advantage over the naturally smaller 5’8, 70-inch reach Crawford.
Postol is also noted for his technical brilliance and sneaky good right hand. Though Crawford possesses an unrivaled speed edge, as we’ve seen time and again, a long job negates even the quickest handed fighters.
The perfect example of length negating speed is Ronald “Winky” Wright’s two victories over “Sugar” Shane Mosely a decade ago.
While Postol has fought the majority of his career as a natural 140-pounder; Crawford is still becoming acclimated to the size difference.
Postol would do well to utilize his footwork and jab to set up the right hand against the much quicker, yet more diminutive Crawford.
Advantage: Viktor Postol
Power Surge:
Though Crawford is undoubtedly the smaller-framed man, he had trouble making weight at 135. Also, at junior welterweight Crawford has shown legitimate pop, scoring three consecutive knockouts since moving up a division.
It will be contingent upon Crawford to penetrate the Postol jab– thus providing his undefeated opponent a taste of his power. However, Viktor Postol has shown a sturdy chin through his professional career, and stopping him will not be an easy task.
If Crawford can land flush opposite Postol, like he did with Lundy, Delorme and Dierry Jean, we may bear witness to the crowning of a new long-time 140 lb king.
Advantage: Terence Crawford
Speed Kills:
But only if the smaller Crawford can consistently parry the lengthy Postol jab. The determinant in this match-up will be speed vs. jab.
Advantage: Push
Experience:
Both fighters have fought 28 times under professional auspices; however Crawford holds a huge advantage at the sports’ championship level.
While Postol is a polished and accomplished amateur, his sole claim-to-fame is defeating an obviously shopworn Lucas Martin Matthysse.
All of the amateur experience in the world is no substitute for facing world-class opposition, which Crawford has done in spades.
Advantage: Crawford
Resume and Intangibles:
While both men are double-tough, Postol gets the nod in the intangible department simply due to his stern Ukranian upbringing. Each man knows the toil involved with earning a living inside the ring. During his formative years, Postol’s life outside the ring was much harsher.
Regarding paid resumes, there’s no competition. Former Fighter of The Year Terence Crawford has by far beaten the bigger names. With decisive wins over Ricky Burns, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Raymundo Beltran, Thomas Dulorme and Dierry Jean on his ledger, Terrence Crawford has earned his status as favorite coming into this anticipated showdown.
Intangibles: Postol
Professional Resume: Crawford
Obviously, with the size discrepancy tilting in Postol’s favor, there’s a moderate chance for an upset.
Furthermore, many say Postol is Crawford’s biggest test to date; and I don’t disagree.
I feel this bout is infinitely more evenly matched than Postol detractors will admit. That said, look for a hard-fought 12 round split decision to go the way of the quicker, stronger, younger, more experienced Terence Crawford.
[Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images]
