THIS is a match-up of the highest calibre. After winning a world title at lightweight against Ricky Burns, and subsequently defending in style against Yuriorkis Gamboa and Ray Beltran, Terence Crawford stepped up to super-lightweight to win the WBO title there.
Viktor Postol has quietly gone about his business but dazzled as he dismantled Lucas Matthysse, a feared power puncher to win his world title. He meets Crawford at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to unify the WBO and WBC crowns.
Both are unbeaten. They have similar records, Crawford 28-0 (20) to Postol’s 28-0 (12).
12:04 Terence Crawford dominates Viktor Postol
Scores: 118-107 x2 and 117-108 all to Crawford, who is now the WBO and WBC world super-lightweight champion. It was a one-sided drubbing of the Ukrainian, who touched down twice in the fifth. Despite most seeing this as a 50-50 fight on paper, Crawford controlled it from the outset. He boxed on the outside in a southpaw stance, nullifying Postol's fairly pedestrian attempts to find his way through.
Now, there is talk of Crawford being the front-runner to face Manny Pacquiao in the Filipino's comback fight on November 5.
12:00 Round 12
Great round of action, Postol really went for it, forcing some fun exchanges but Crawford was always getting the better of the action. We got to the scorecards, and surely Crawford has taken this one comfortably.
11:56 Round 11
Postol tries to maul Crawofrd but is docked a point for punching to the back of the head - though it was clearly unintentional. Into the 12th we go...
11:52 Round 10
Still all Crawford. He's stayed in the southpaw stance and hasn't allowed Postol any success. Viktor 100 per cent needs a knockout to win now.
11:48 Round 9
A solid one-two stiffened Postol's legs in the round though he rocovered well. Not much action beyond that, but Crawford still well in control.
11:44 Round 8
A solid shot scrambles Postol's senses and almost drops him in the first 10 seconds of the round. Another counter left later in the round had him reeling, though the replays showed it was Crawford's forearm which caught the back of Postol's head.
11:40 Round 7
Postol visibly frustrated as Crawford makes it virtually impossible for him to find sustained success. Still no solid argument for Postol having won a single round yet...
11:36 Round 6
Though he's on the back foot, Crawford has this fight in the palm of his hand. He's circling around Postol with relative ease and Postol, rather than cutting the ring off, is followinf Terence around. Not much landed in the stanza, but Crawford got through with the most work.
11:31 Round 5
Strange start to the round as Crawford barely touched Postol but the Ukrainian dipped to the canvas. Though unhurt, it was ruled as a knockdown. Halfway through the round a strong left hand counter wobbles Viktor, he tries to backtrack but touches down. He beats the count and looks frustrated with himself. Huge round for Crawford on the scorecards.
11:28 Round 4
Another solid session for Crawford, who looks to be four rounds up. Postol is struggling to pin Crawford down and Terence clipped him with a trio of left hands, to the delight of the crowd. Crawford is predominantly boxing on the back foot, and doing so brilliantly.
11:23 Round 3
Crawford controlled the majority of the round, grinning at Postol at times, though Viktor began to find his range in the final 30 seconds and managed to get through with a right hand.
11:20 Round 2
Crawford's not allowing Postol to land his usually terrific jab, which has rattled the Ukrainian. Remaining southpaw, Crawford landed a decent left hand towards the end of the round. Looks to be finding his rhythm.
11:16 Round 1
Crawford began in the orthodox stance but quickly moved into the southpaw one, where he remained for mosr of the round. Not much landed in the stanza, as Postol boxed on the front foot and Crawford cuffed him a couple of times as he moved in. Close round.