Tonight HBO PPV will be live from Las Vegas, Nevada and Top Rank promotions will be putting on a great card from the MGM Grand Arena. The undefeated WBO junior welterweight champion, Terence “Bud” Crawford will be in the squared circle against the undefeated WBC junior welterweight champion, Viktor “The Iceman” Postol, in a unification bout. Also the co-main event will be Oscar Valdez taking on Matias Adrian Rueda for the vacant WBO featherweight title. That is a fight that should really get the crowd pumped up as both fighters are not shy for slugging it out.
Terence Crawford (28-0 with 20 KOs) is one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world. He is the one that most people think can be the next torch carrier for Top Rank now that Manny Pacquiao’s career is winding down. Crawford’s 3 best wins were against Ricky Burns, Yuriorkis Gamboa, and Raymundo Beltran. However, all 3 of those fights took place in 2014 and now after 18 months and 3 semi-lackluster fights, he is now being asked to headline his 1st PPV. The 28-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska better have some broad shoulder to carry that baggage.
Viktor Postol (28-0 with 12 KOs) is not known for his power. However, after 2 of the Ukrainian’s last 3 fights, ironically his 2 best opponents, against Selcuk Aydin and obviously Lucas Matthysse, ended by stoppage, the 32-year-old now has the spotlight on him and the world watches. Postol’s length, led by an almost 74 inch reach, and great use of the jab, clearly has had an effect on all his previous opponents. Opponents have had to work very hard to get by his jab and when they do, they are right in range for Postol’s dangerous uppercut. Can he do the same to Crawford?
This is one of the most even fights you will see all year, despite the Vegas odds. Crawford has never seen someone with a reach this long. Postol has never faced anyone this good with the combination of skill, athletic ability, and length that Crawford has. It really can go either way and because of that, gun to my head, I’m going with Crawford by 115-113 split decision, due to the experience against higher level fighters. However, if you are betting the fight, and find Postol as a 6-1 underdog like I’ve seen some places, I would suggest putting a small amount on him.
Crawford vs. Postol won’t be the only fight where someone’s 0 has to go. Mexico with face Argentina when 2 unblemished records hit the ring as Oscar Valdez (19-0 with 17 KOs) will face Matias “La Cobrita” Rueda (26-0 with 23 KOs). This fight should be exciting as both fighters have pop and neither of their chins have proven to be steady as of yet. It would be a shocking development to have this one go to the scorecards. I’m going to go with Valdez by 4th round stoppage because I think he has more raw talent, but if there was a fight to not take a bathroom break on, it’s this one.
This fight card has faced some criticism because it’s on pay per view. However, you don’t often get 2 guys at the top of their division, both World title holders, face off in unification bouts anymore. Whether you decide to order it yourself, go to a bar showing it, or group up with some boxing fans and split the cost to order it, this is one of those fights that a real boxing fan shouldn’t miss. With a “Best vs. Best” main event and good fights on the undercard, this card arguably will give the hardcore boxing fan its best bang for their buck this year. Don’t you be the one who misses out, enjoy the fights.