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A showdown between 140lb titleholders Terence Crawford (28-0, 20 KOs) and Viktor Postol (28-0, 12 KOs) has been talked about a lot the past couple of months. And although the progress has been slow rolling, things are finally starting to come together. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told ESPN last night that Crawford has now officially signed a contract to face Viktor Postol in a July 23rd HBO PPV event, which would be held at the MGM Grand.
"Crawford had signed, and everything is virtually resolved with Postol," Arum said. "There are a couple of little issues we have to iron out, but the big stuff is done. The money is done."
One of the details that has to be hashed out on Postol's side is that he wants two neutral judges from Europe for the fight. The problem is that judges aren't appointed by promoters and is therefore out of Arum's hands. In this instance they would be appointed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
"I told them they can go to the Nevada commission and ask for two neutral judges, but we can't tell the commission who to appoint," Arum said. "They'll understand that. It will get worked out. We want fair judging."
Arum, expecting all the minor details to eventually work themselves out, is planning to hold a news conference on May 24 in Los Angeles to announce the fight. He may even hold a second in Crawford's hometown of Omaha.
Arum says he'll probably include another world title fight on this card, which could possibly be Gilberto Ramirez's first title defense since beating Arthur Abraham. In addition, Arum says the card would also feature Japanese Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata (9-0, 6 KOs) - should he beat Felipe Santos Pedroso next month.
A fight between Crawford and Postol is obviously a good match-up on paper. The only issue for me here is the PPV angle. Neither Crawford, Postol, Ramirez, nor Murata are proven PPV draws, and in all likelihood, none of them are at this point. Considering that Arum is just coming off what he describes as a "terrible" PPV outcome for Bradley-Pacquiao III, this feels like it has all the makings of another box office flop.
I'm going with Crawford winning this fight though.
