Former security guard Viktor Postol still looking for respect

Viktor Postol has countless stories from his days as a security guard at a mall in his homeland of Ukraine.

Postol didn’t command respect when he attempted to stop rogue mall-goers. He was told to shut up often and had one hoodlum take a swing at him.

“I tried talking to the people that don’t behave well,” Postol said through a translator. “They didn’t listen to me, they didn’t respect me.”

Once the troublemakers realized they weren’t dealing with Paul Blart — the goofy mall cop from the movies — they immediately cut the shenanigans.

“They knew they could do nothing because they knew I was a fighter,” Postol said. “It was a very interesting time. I have a bunch of stories, everything from funny, sad and fights.”

As for the hoodlum who dared to throw a punch at the future boxing champ?

“I needed to punch back to protect myself,” Postol said.

Postol (28-0, 12 knockouts) is the WBC junior welterweight champion, but like in his patrol days, he’s still looking for respect in the ring. The 32-year-old Ukrainian is an undefeated world champion just like his opponent, Terence Crawford, the WBO titleholder. The two foes meet Saturday on HBO pay-per-view.

Top Rank Boxing is promoting the unification bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena like it’s a 50-50 match, but that’s not the case at the sportsbooks in town. Postol is a plus-474 underdog against Crawford, according to VegasInsider.com.

Freddie Roach, Postol’s trainer, said he’s surprised his fighter isn’t getting more credit. Postol recently knocked out a tough Lucas Matthysse in dominant fashion to win the vacant WBC belt in October.

Crawford is being labeled as boxing’s next PPV superstar. The Omaha, Nebraska, fighter is known for his methodical approach and knack of taking down opponents from a righty and southpaw stance.

Roach called Crawford a good boxer, but wasn’t impressed with his ability of fighting from both sides.

“I don’t think it makes him special,” said Roach about Crawford, a natural righty. “Other fighters have done it and he won’t be the last.

“I think he’s a better left-handed fighter than he’s a right-hander because he usually gives the first three rounds away as a right-hander. He can’t afford to give away rounds in this fight.”

Roach prepared Postol for Crawford’s unique style by bringing in six sparring partners; two righties, two lefties and two that box both ways.

Postol, who goes by “Ice Man,” has his own advantages versus Crawford. Postol stands three inches taller than Crawford at 5-foot-11 with a three-inch reach advantage, and owns a devastating left jab.

To make Postol feel at home, Roach hung four giant pictures from Postol’s upset against Matthysse above the ring at his famed Wild Card Boxing gym in Hollywood, California. There was a noticeably pattern, three of the four pictures featured Postol connecting with his trademark left jab.

“The jab is the key,” Roach said. “He’s using it to perfection at this point.”

Postol does most of his training in Ukraine, but moves his camp to Los Angeles eight weeks before a fight. He’s been under Roach’s guidance since 2014.

This time around, it wasn’t easy leaving his wife, Olga, behind. Postol, a first-time father, missed the birth of his twin boys on Tuesday. Postol met his wife at a school dance at the age of 13.

“I want to win the WBC and WBO belts, one for each boy,” he said.

Postol is a rockstar in the Ukraine where boxing is a big deal, but he wants to make it in America. He’s been taking English lessons.

Postol’s idol growing up was Wladimir Klitschko, the dominant former heavyweight champion from Ukraine. Klitschko and his brother, Vitali, were never able to win over the U.S. fans.

Americans are starting to accept fighters from overseas such as Filipino star Manny Pacquiao and unified middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin from Kazakhstan. Two-division champion Vasyl Lomachenko, also from Ukraine, is starting to catch on with the American public.

“I hope so,” Postol said about becoming a PPV star. “I want to do everything in this fight that would take me toward that goal. I want to make this an exciting fight.”

A win over Crawford could open up those doors for Postol. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said the winner of Saturday’s match would be the front-runner to face Manny Pacquiao on Nov. 5 at Thomas & Mack Center.

Postol said he wished he was able to hit more of the troublemakers who gave him fits eight years ago at the mall.

“They were so disrespectful,” he said. “I was just standing there thinking I wish I can punch them, but I can’t.”

That won’t be an issue versus Crawford come Saturday.

Contact Gilbert Manzano at gmanzano@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0492. Follow him on Twitter: @gmanzano24