by Jonathan Snowden

Terence Crawford, possibly the heir to Floyd Mayweather's pound-for-pound kingdom, returns to action this weekend against his toughest opponent yet--Ukrainian stalwart Viktor Postol. This is a great fight, arguably the toughest of Crawford's career. Unfortunately, in the boxing press, the actual athletic contest has been ignored in favor of endless discussions about Crawford's merits as a pay-per-view star.

Look around and you'll find plenty of people apologizing for the fact that this fight is even on pay-per-view rather than plain old HBO. And that's fair. In truth, HBO has never pushed a fighter so totally unprepared into a pay-per-view setting. Even when you compare it to numerous bouts that were lousy for the platform back during the dark days of 2005, the fighters headlining had, at some point, been able to draw big money. Crawford never has. Rumors of low ticket sales in Vegas are likely a sign of an epic failure at the box office.

Of course, it's still a fight worth watching if you're a boxing fan. And that's why we're here. To find the fights worth your time and tell you who's going to win--and how. That's the bell. Let's meet in the middle and discuss every boxing show appearing on American TV this weekend. Fair warning though--I'm throwing heavy leather.

Sergiy Derevyanchenko (8-0, 6 KOs) vs. Sam Soliman (44-13, 18 KOs)

Key Info

Date: July 21st
Network: ESPN
Promoter: Dibella Entertainment/Haymon Boxing
Undercard bouts: Ievgen Khytrov (13-0) vvs. Paul Mendez (19-2-2)

Interest Level: Medium

The parade of Eastern European talent continues with a strange Thursday ESPN card headlined by a 42 year old ex-kickboxer against a stocky Ukranian prospect. Just over a year ago Sam Soliman got robbed against Dominic Wade, and he hasn't fought since. In fact, the former IBF middleweight title holder has fought twice in two years--and one of those fights was spent flopping around like a fish out of water due to a knee injury. 

All that said, he's still a dramatic step up from the no-names Derevyanchenko has typically been put in with. The fighter from the Ukraine will present some difficult defensive postures for Soliman, whose reliance on volume punching has become increasingly problematic as he ages.

Main Event Prediction: Sergiy Derevyanchenko by Unanimous Decision

Adam Lopez (15-0, 7 KOs)  vs. Roman Reynoso (18-1-1, 7 KOs)

Key Info

Date: July 22nd
Network: Showtime
Promoter: Dibella Entertainment/Haymon Boxing
Undercard bouts: Julius Jackson (19-1) vs. Jerry Odom (13-2-1), O'Shaquie Foster (10-1) vs. Rolando Chinea (12-1-1), Khiary Gray Pitts (13-0) vs. Ian Green (9-1)

Interest Level: Medium

It's hard to know what to expect from the fighters here. Jackson/Odom has the potential for fireworks, but every other fight is very much a "Let's see if anyone can fight" situation more than a "I can't wait for this potential bout" scenario. In the main event, Lopez looks to prove he's a legitimate prospect while the Argentine Reynoso will seek to show the world he's not just a warm body. My money is on the house fighter.

Main Event Prediction: Adam Lopez by Unanimous Decision

Fabian Maidana (9-0, 6 KOs)  vs. Jorge Maysonet (13-1, 11 KOs)

Key Info

Date: July 23rd
Network: NBC Sports Network
Promoter: Dibella Entertainment/Haymon Boxing
Undercard bouts: Alan Castano (10-0) vs. Aaron Garcia (15-5-1)

Interest Level: Low

A trip to both men's family reunions would tell the tale here: Maidana is part of the same family that birthed a world champion (Marcos), whereas Jorge Maysonet's dad (Sr.) is a historical footnote appearing in the loser's column on better men's records. Maidana's power hasn't translated with a step up in competition, but he'll probably win a decision here without a ton of drama.

Main Event Prediction: Fabian Maidana by Unanimous Decision

Terence Crawford (28-0, 20 KOs)  vs. Viktor Postol (28-0, 12 KOs)

Key Info

Date: July 23rd
Network: HBO PPV
Promoter: Top Rank
Undercard bouts: Oscar Valdez vs. Matias Rueda, Jose Benavidez vs. Francisco Santana, Oleksandr Gvozdyk vs. Tommy Karpency

Interest Level: High….too bad it costs $60

This is a very good matchup of two highly skilled fighters in their primes. Sadly, rather than a celebration, it's a fight that inspires sad head nods and sighs, yet another example of the sport's never ending transition to irrelevance. Instead of the wider world getting a chance to see the sport at its best, this is set up for pay-per-view failure. And that's a real shame--this fight deserves an audience.

Crawford is the betting favorite, and history suggests that there are good reasons why. In a similar "Why is this a PPV" fight back in 2012, Brandon Rios was main eventing against Richar Abril and was completely embarrassed and dominated but won a split decision anyway. Rios wasn't a big draw, but he at least resembled a potential one. Crawford, likewise, is a regional draw and ticket seller in Omaha, whereas Postol isn't a draw anywhere in the first world. That's a huge plus for Crawford if you acknowledge the dark underbelly of pugilism.

Crawford has only faced one decent fighter anywhere near Postol's size and very few close to his skill level. Postol won't have a handspeed or footwork advantage, but the massive size disparity and the fact that Postol knows how to use his height is a significant factor you have to acknowledge when picking the bout. Will Crawford be able to make the necessary adjustments to avoid Postol's poleaxing jab? Can he handle Postol's extremely high work rate? 

If Crawford wins the fight, it will be by closing the distance quickly from range, landing shots in close, and then tying up the taller man. Or, if boxing is boxing, it will be because he merely survives 12 rounds and the inexplicable happens on the score cards. Either way, this one will likely go the distance. Don't let anyone fool you--this is a very close fight.

Bet with caution if you're a gambling fan.

Main Event Prediction: Terence Crawford by Majority Decision