Cashing Out On Manny ? In most cases a column on the Crawford-Postol junior welterweight clash this past Saturday night ? might begin with the assumption that most boxing fans saw the bout and by now are well informed as to how the fight went. It was Crawford?s first PPV bout as the headliner and the buy numbers aren?t in as of this writing, but it?s a given the numbers won?t be anywhere near the million plus who would?ve seen the fight had it aired on HBO.
If by chance you didn?t see the bout, Terence Crawford 29-0 (20) was brilliant in dismantling Viktor Postol 28-1 (12). In the course of successfully defending his WBO junior welterweight belt, he also captured Postol?s junior welterweight belt and cleared up any confusion (if there was any) as to who is the baddest and certainly the alpha fighter in the division. Crawford won a lopsided unanimous decision, dominating perhaps 32 minutes of a 36 minute fight. If you?ve been a regular reader of this column, you know it?s been said in this space that Crawford is the genuine article. Terence can box, he can punch, and he can fight both inside and outside. He?s also terrific at fighting on the move and taking away the bullets his opponents have in their holster looking to send his way ? and if that weren?t enough, Crawford has a bit of a cocky mean streak running through him that gives him a little extra as a fighter.
Some were surprised by how easily Crawford took away Postol?s good jab, but not me. I expected Crawford to make Postol look almost pedestrian. And that?s not because Postol is a slouch ? it?s more so because Crawford is such a natural boxer and possesses a boxing aptitude that?s higher than he gets credit for. He totally flustered Postol and when Viktor attempted to let his hands go, Crawford neutralized him by tying him up and mixing his attack to the head and body. Terence counter-punched masterfully and after dropping Postol twice in the fifth round, he ran away with the fight.
Granted, he was respectful of Postol, whose strength kept Crawford wary throughout the fight. Crawford never really tried for the kayo, although he might have been able to get it had he really pushed. Then again, Postol was so hesitant from being countered that he didn?t let his hands go because he was concerned with what was coming back at him. And with that unfolding, it was easy for Crawford to control the bout without taking any reckless and unnecessary chances.
Crawford probably exceeded expectations due to the ease in which he controlled the bout. It was a great performance and hopefully not outside the understanding of casual observers. The only negative that may surface, which has nothing to do with Crawford, is that perhaps not many saw the fight because of the $60 cost to purchase it. As I said before the bout, I think promoter Bob Arum was penny wise and pound foolish in making the fight a PPV event. That said, there?s no doubt the next time Crawford fights, it?ll be a legitimate PPV extravaganza.
