Undefeated junior welterweight champions Terence “Bud” Crawford and “The Iceman” Viktor Postol will go mano a mano, in a 12-round title unification fight. The Crawford vs. Postol event will take place on Saturday, July 23, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev, shown on HBO Pay-Per-View.
Crawford vs. Postol tickets are on sale today, priced from $54 to $304, on AXS.com and MGMGrand.com.
“This is a great opportunity to show the world I’m the best champion at 140,” said Crawford.
“We are about to show the world that I am indeed a better trainer than Postol’s trainer Freddie Roach,” added Brian McIntyre, Crawford’s trainer and co-manager.
“I believe this is a GREAT fight and Terence will prove he’s not only the best 140-pound fighter in the world but that he is pound for pound the best fighter in the world,” said Cameron Dunkin, Crawford’s co-manager.
“I have been waiting for this fight for a long time and I want to thank my promoters Elite Boxing and Top Rank for making this fight a reality for the fans,” said Postol.
“This has Fight of the Year written all over it,” said Hall of Fame Trainer World-Famous Freddie Roach. “For the second consecutive time Viktor will be involved in a world title tilt pitting the two best fighters in the division. He’ll be ready.”
“This is one of those fights where no one knows who will come out victorious,” said Vadim Kornilov, Postol’s manager. “It’s the type of fight fans crave but rarely get to see. There are no opponents in this battle, only champions. Postol and Crawford each have 28-0 records and they have both fought great opposition.”
“This title unification battle between Terence Crawford and Viktor Postol is evenly matched and both undefeated champions are determined to prevail. This is must-see television,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum
“We look forward to hosting what very well could be the ‘fight of the year’ this summer at MGM Grand,” said Richard Sturm, president of entertainment and sports for MGM Resorts International. “These two fighters will make their Grand Garden Arena debut and undoubtedly provide an exciting evening for boxing fans worldwide.”
“We are excited to present two accomplished champions in a major unification title showdown at 140 pounds” said Peter Nelson, Executive Vice President, HBO Sports. “Terence Crawford stands today among boxing’s elite attractions. His opponent Viktor Postol, Crawford’s toughest to date, seeks to seize that star power for himself with an upset under the bright spotlight in Las Vegas.”
Postol also unveiled a commemorative stamp of himself, with the new hashtag, #GoingPostol
The stamp not only featured Postol’s image but also foreshadowed the result of their upcoming fight, with a caption that included Postol’s record after their rumble, complete with projected record and unified titles.
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor Terence Crawford stays this Postol courier from the swift completion of unifying the titles,” said World-Famous Freddie Roach, Postol’s Hall of Fame trainer. “Come July 23, Postol will deliver just like he did against Lucas Matthyse.”.
After viewing the artwork, a bemused Crawford told Team Postol, “There’s only one place for junk mail and that’s the shredder. I’m going to cancel your stamp and your reign as WBC champion on July 23. The new face of boxing isn’t on that stamp, it’s in front of you.”
