Battle of the Undefeated-Bud Crawford vs. Iceman Postol
BoxingGlove Notes
Distinio Lois, Jr.
The waiting and the talking is over and finally the 2 best gladiators of the 140 pound-Junior Welterweight Division-will meet to settle the score in a championship winner take all ring battle on Saturday, July 23, 2016 at the M.G.M. Grand Arena & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada.
Terence “Bud” Crawford, W.B.O. 140 Pound Champ, 28-0, 20 knockouts will challenge Viktor “The Iceman” Postol, W.B.C. 140 Pound Champion in not only a unification fight but the victor will also win the Vacant Ring Magazine & Lineal Light Welterweight Crowns. One 12 round Championship fight for 4 World Titles.
These 2 undefeated elite fighters reached ring prominence by scoring upset knockouts over veteran champion fighters. Crawford an overwhelming betting underdog out boxed and finally k.o.’d ex-Olympian Gold Medalist Cuban defector Yuriorkis Gamboa, March 1, 2014 in the 9th round retaining the W.B.O. 135 Pound Title, and then also knocked out Thomas Dulorme April 18, 2015 to win the vacant W.B.O. 140 Pound Crown.
That same year October 3, 2015 Postol knocked out the hard hitting knockout artist from Argentina, Lucas “La Maquina”-The Machine- Matthysse, in the 10th round winning the Vacant W.B.C. 140 Pound Championship.
Without too much hesitation these 2 warriors who had wanted to fight each other set the date and signed the fight contract with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions. This is a mega fight that many boxing fans were wishing for and Top Rank delivered.
This championship fight-Crawford vs. Postol- is so evenly matched that it actually reminds us of the Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter exciting fight this past June 25, 2016. So it has to be judged a “pic-em” fight.
They are both undefeated, their pro fight records are the same- 28-0 and their knockout records are in double figures. Crawford 20 k.o.’s and Postol 12 k.o.’s.
Let’s analyze both:
Viktor Postol is tall with a long reach, great jab who started boxing at 12 years of age and rose up to the number 2 Amateur in his country, with a total of 250 fights and he won several championships.
Postol a former Security Guard in a Shopping Mall in the Ukraine, made his pro debut in 2007, and compiled an undefeated record of 25-0, 10 knockouts, leading to his title winning knockout of Matthysse.
“After that victory I was signed to fight Crawford to unify the titles and that is what I am going to do. I know that I can beat Crawford and take the titles back home, since there aren’t any world ring champs in the Ukraine.” declared Postol.
Postol further stated to the delight of the attending press, “My wife Olga is expecting twin boys soon so when I get home I’ll have a belt for each of the boys”.
Terence Crawford who grew up in a rough neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska followed his Grandfather’s, Father’s, and Uncle’s footsteps and started boxing at 7 years of age.
He became a highly regarded amateur fighter winning several titles, 3 gold medals and also defeated 2 present pro world champs, Danny “Swift” Garcia, 32-0, 18 knockouts, current W.B.C. 147 Pound Champ and Mickey Garcia, 34-0, 28 k.o.’s, former W.B.O., Ring Magazine 126 lb. & W.B.O. Super 130 Pound champ.
Crawford was the only one of his family to try the pro ranks very successfully winning 2 world titles and now is seeking to unify 2 world titles and also win the 2 vacant crowns.
“There are no famous boxers in my neighborhood perhaps except me so I want to continue winning to establish a legacy here at home. Some Football players went to the N.F.L. but there are no boxers”, stated Crawford.
“This will not be an easy fight with Postol because he is taller, has a longer reach with a very good jab, but we are working very hard in camp to overcome his advantages, plus I am a harder puncher than he is, and I have the ability to switch to a southpaw stance,” Crawford further stated.
I am convinced that this is another fight you just have to wait until the first bell sounds to see what each boxer brings to the ring-plan-wise-to determine who could possibly be the victor.
Both Postol and Crawford beat a common opponent, Hank Lundy, Crawford by knockout and Postol by a unanimous decision. Does that indicate a Crawford advantage? I don’t think so.
They are both determined to win since the additional big prize other than the 4 belts and remaining undefeated, will be fighting recently un-retired Manny Pacquiao later this year, perhaps November / 2016.
