Last week’s fight between Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter on Premier Boxing Champions was all we could hope for in a bout between two of boxing’s best. However, this month’s fight on July 23rd at the MGM in Las Vegas, NV between Terrance Crawford and Viktor Postol may just top it; something I am sure Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum is counting on in Crawford’s first billing on PPV HBO.
Both Crawford and Postol sit undefeated at 28-0, and looking to unify the junior welterweight division. Crawford (28-0, 20 KO’s) holds the WBO title and is coming off a February demolition of Hank Lundy. Postol (28-0, 12 KO’s) holds the WBC title and is coming off an even more impressive victory over Lucas Matthysse, which was a shocker to many. Crawford has been the more busy fighter the last two years, and it has been nine months since Postol was last in the ring, which could be of significance given Crawford is the best and most well rounded fighter he has faced.
Neither fighter is a household name, particularly Postol; Crawford though has lofty potential given his skill, power, and ability to punch with both hands. It’s not likely this fight will bring in huge numbers on PPV, but it is definitely a fight boxing fans don’t want to miss. An impressive performance for either fighter will mean big things in this division or for possible fights at 147 in the near future. Although on paper, and according to some odds makers, this is a 50/50 fight; I see Crawford being the winner in a clear but exciting unanimous decision on his quest to the top of boxing’s P4P list.