Terence Crawford Dismantles Viktor Postol, May Be Next In Line For Manny Pacquiao

WBO Super Lightweight titlist Terence Crawford (29-0-0 20 KO) gained the WBC belt, while also solidifying his spot atop the 140 pound division, with his dismantling of Ukranian Viktor Postol on HBO at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Saturday night.

With the two combatants being widely considered the top talent in the division, “Bud”, as he has been dubbed by his loyal hometown fans from Omaha, picked apart Postol (28-1-0 12 KO) after a slow first few rounds to cruise towards victory on scorecards of 118-107 twice and 117-108.

Crawford, one of the best pound for pound fighters in the world, used the first three rounds to feel out the European, as he tends to do in most of his fights. He began finding a home for his jab in the 4th round, and used lateral movement and his incredibly quick hands and feet to keep Postol looking befuddled all night.

The action peaked in the 5th, as the new WBO and WBC champ dropped his foe immediately at the start of the round on a quick right hand to the side of the head, requiring Postol to take a knee. Later in the same round, Crawford landed another barrage, ending in a sharp left hand that forced the tall Ukranian into the ropes and referee Tony Weeks rightfully counting another knockdown, as Postol used his glove to hold himself up from smashing to the ground.

Terence never looked back in the fight. Round after round he used a swift, stinging jab and really showed he’s in a different class as a prize fighter. Postol got deducted another point in the 11th for a rabbit punch, however the result was well in favor of Crawford at this point. The trainers for Crawford, two ex-boxers with losing records and almost no training experience, concocted together the perfect recipe of movement combined with timed power punches to keep Viktor at bay the entire fight.

With the insanely impressive show put on by the 28 year old American last night, the future is as bright as ever for the champ. Promoter Bob Arum claimed “Bud” could potentially be the leading candidate to land a fight with Manny Pacquiao on November 5th, which would be a dazzling fight and a monster payday for Crawford on a huge stage. As Crawford stated after the fight, “I’m a fighter. I”ll fight anybody”. After last night’s performance, Terence Crawford may have a much more difficult time finding someone willing to step into a fight with him.

Crawford was not the only young prospect looking to make a statement last night, as rising Mexican featherweight star Oscar Valdez (20-0 18 KO) absolutely stormed onto the scene with his second round KO of Matias Rueda to claim the WBO title, which had been vacated by standout Vasyl Lomachenko.

Rueda (26-1-0, 23 KO) is no pushover, however Valdez made him look completely outclassed for the short time he was standing. The new WBO champ landed hard power shots repeatedly throughout the first round, then a thudding body punch sent Rueda down midway through the second. A few seconds later, Valdez rushed his opponent again, dropping him with a flurry of menacing shots. The referee correctly called a stoppage to the fight as Rueda went down for the second time. Expect to see Valdez back soon on another pay-per-view, as his fights are guaranteed to generate fireworks.

By Darrin Doyle