Crawford vs. Troyanovsky: IBF, IBO, WBO, WBC undisputed

By Boxing News - 07/26/2016 - Comments

1-crawford (3)

By Jaime Ortega: As I predicted and it came to pass, Terrence Crawford absolutely dominated and destroyed Viktor ‘overhyped’ Postol with relative ease. Postol became a hyped superstar from the ashes of Lucas Mathysse, who after many battles looked like the oil-less robot of the Wizard of Oz. Postol’s only reliable weapon is his jab, and his eight week training at Wildcard gym under Freddy Roach was not going upgrade his average skillset. Crawford vs Postol was a disappointing battle, and those who over hyped Postol as the next big star were rightly put on their place.

However, in the 140 division the biggest challenge for Crawford is not the one dimensional Ukrainian, but the omni-directional Russian Eduard Troyanovsky who is 24-0, 21 knockouts.

The Russian is the IBF and IBO champion and he has absolutely outclassed every opponent since he started his boxing career at age 29. He became noticeable after he destroyed world-rated Polish veteran Matt Zeagan in the third round making headlines in the boxing world. He then had a lengthy layoff that followed into a career-altering success, Troyanovsky came back with new power and a new promoter in 2012, and was hardly stoppable ever since.

One oddity about Troyanovsky is his Russian trainer Roman Anuchin. He has trained several fighters in the Mayweather gym and he is the only coach to successfully replicate Roger Mayweather’s mitt drills, which he has used for many years. He frequents the Mayweather gym and was there as early as September 2015 working with Yoann Kongolo. He is the head Russian coach, and he is one of the most skillful trainers in the world using pad work and mitts. He is an elite trainer. He has taken Troyanovsky’s skill to a brand new level since he was first introduce to the fighter in 2010. One of the most successful stories of dedication and hard work, and youtube has plenty of clips to prove it. Anuchin proudly wears TMT gear every time he gets on camera. He is a big fan of the Mayweather gym.

Two years ago Postol’s team neglected an offer to fight Troyanovsky, since then they never mentioned his name again. The Russian boxing media said that Postol’s team rejected an offer from Troyanovsky’s camp to fight in Moscow. Many casual fans believe Postol to be of a higher pedigree than Troyanovsky, but studying tape shows the reason why the fight never materialized. Troyanovsky is too risky for Postol, and has a better boxing pedigree. However, other factors why the fight was not made might relate with the geopolitical issues that affect both countries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdgciZ-9x1A

Russia and Ukraine are at war with each other and tensions run high in the region. Such tensions have decrepit the once stable relationship between the two countries. Ukraine wants to join the European Union, but Russia wants to recapture Kiev and reestablish the Old Russian Empire that dissolved after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia has hurt Ukraine with energy restrictions and blocked financial assets and trade to keep an embargo on the country, while the European Union has reciprocated with financial sanctions that have hurt the Russian Economy.

With relations suspended between the two countries, Postol vs Troyanovsky had the prospect of a mega-fight, but it did not materialize because there was a sense of national fear that a Ukrainian losing to a Russian boxer during the Ukrainian civil unrest would boost pro-Russian separatist to evoke a referendum and join Russia. Regional pride in Eastern Europe against Turkey and Russia runs deep. The money made by this fight would have easily tripled that of Crawford’s Top Rank in Russia because Putin has the financial means to make any dream come true, but the man is hated in Kiev and Europe and it hurt the fight.

There isn’t much difference between winning the IBF and the WBO. Postol had more to gain fighting Troyanovsky than fighting Crawford because Troyanovsky holds the IBF and IBO, whereas Crawford only holds the WBO, insisting he will soon vacate to 147. Crawford should take on the IBF and IBO champion, and delight his fans with his hardest test to date. As a boxing coach told me once in LA, “any great boxer will make it look easy against a tough or weaker opponent, doesn’t matter,” Words of wisdom.

A lot of boxing casuals criticize the Russian and call him a bum because they don’t watch boxing outside the US. But his record is actually solid, when you take a deeper view at the opponents he beat. If he is ‘too good’ for any opponent to handle, that is not his fault. A lot of casuals criticized Crawford for fighting Yuriokis Gamboa a natural 130 boxer, when the American is naturally 17lbs. heavier. Crawford schooled Gamboa because Crawford is a smarter boxer with a bigger IQ. Crawford beat a Cuban meathead with a grinder style of boxing using technique and accuracy. The Russian has schooled all his opponents and haters will also hate, but no one is calling him out in the 140 division which should raise duck alarms.

If Adrien Broner was confident he could beat the Russian, he would of mention his name at least once. Broner could have the IBO and IBF tittle at his feet! Easy fight, right? Ricky Burns also has the opportunity to unify the belts at 140, but never once is the Russian mention by his mouth. Instead, I hear crickets all over the place! No one wants to fight him—high risk low reward.

Troyanovsky’s boxing style is the mixture of Juan Manuel Marquez, Gennady Golovkin and Floyd Mayweather Jr. He fights like a Russian influenced by American boxing. He reminds of Sergey Kovalev who John David Jackson refined over the years. He is a fine counter fighter who targets tight spaces with superb accuracy while moving. He has a solid defense and has learned and adapted a few of Floyd defensive techniques which makes it difficult to catch him. He also has knockout power with both hands, great reflexive skills and has an unorthodox boxing style. He rarely gets hit, adapts, cuts the ring better than anyone at 140 and has destroyed every boxer he has faced. He can fight as southpaw and orthodox and times his jab well. Postol would have lost via knockout had he fought the Russian, who is a far superior boxer, versatile and unpredictable for the Ukrainian to handle. The only backlash to Troyasnovsky is his age, he just turned 36 in May, but he remains in great shape.

Unlike what casual ‘one day’ experts believe, Cesar Cuenca despite only having two KO’s in his resume, has a good technique. He was completely outmaneuvered by the Russian, who counter him clean every round till he landed the TKO, thus forcing Cuenca to quit. The TKO came after the boxing lesson he gave Cuenca and not as a result of a ‘lucky shot’. Boxing domination is key to understand the quality of any boxer. I predicted the rise of Andre Ward, Vassyl Lomachenko, Gennady Golovkin, Mickey Garcia, Terrence Crawford, Felix Verdejo (the future welter) among other stars based upon one common denominator; they equally dominate bad and good opponents without any respect disregarding pedigree. Troyanovsky and Crawford have equally dominated their opponents and have shown great boxing pedigree, something I said Postol lacked in the brain department. The showdown between the American and the Russian hopefully will come into fruition.

As funny as it sounds, Ricky Burns is prey holding the WBA tittle teasing a lion and a tiger of 140. If he faces Crawford, he will get destroyed again. If he faces Troyanovsky, who he has avoided for quite some time, he will suffer the same destiny. Only Crawford and Troyanovsky can become undisputed at 140, the rest is pretty much bird food.

Troyanovsky is the only fighter at 140 that can beat Crawford and knock him out. Crawford will have a hell of a fight with Troyanovsky. The Russian has all the tools to beat the American. It’s true that Crawford is a not a natural 140, he blows up to 152-3lbs., and there is a considerable power gap difference with other lightweights. Troyanovsky is like Crawford, he blows up to 155lbs. They both should not be fighting as lightweight period, they really belong at 147, and should vacate as soon as they square off in the ring. They both make up for a great fight, where both will get punished. Crawford is the master at switching it up and walking down opponents, but Troyanovsky cuts the ring without replica and sizes down his opponents with skills and power.

Rest assure it won’t be an explosive fight. Both fighters would test each other early on the first round like a cat smelling a dog. Both will feel very uncomfortable with each other based on styles alone. Crawford will find Troyanovsky awkward, discipline and difficult to read, whereas Troyanovsky will have to adapt to Crawford’s rhythm and versatility. Reach might dagger Crawford, because unlike Postol, Troyanovsky is disciplined and throws his counters with accuracy and has great head movement thanks to Anuchin. The key will ultimately rely on defense. Someone’s chin will be exposed. Both fighters have knockout power and I suspect it will end with a knockout, but not in favor of Crawford. Outside of his sparring sessions with Timothy Bradley, Crawford hasn’t faced anyone disciplined enough with the boxing qualities the Russian has to offer. The Russian is the most underrated pugilist in the sport of boxing.

If Crawford does beat the Russian, he will become WBO, WBC, IBF, IBO undisputed champion of the world and should immediately vacate to 147. If Crawford dominates and outboxes Troyanovsky, he will outclass anyone at 147, except Keith Thurman. On the other hand, if Crawford loses to Troyanovsky and outboxes the American and becomes the WBO, WBC, IBF and IBO undisputed champion of the world at 140, he should jump to 147 and I see him outclassing everyone except for Keith Thurman and Kell Brook.

Postol vs Crawford was a hype fight that any third grader could predict after watching tape from the Ukrainian, who had no chance against the American. Against the Russian it will be a completely different story, mark my words. We might look at an epic trilogy based on styles. If this fight is not made, boxing fans will lose out.