Well, since you are all misinformed, here you go: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mu...0/lineal.heavyweight.champions/content.1.html
Lineage is bull**** in this era. Nobody considered guys like Shannon Briggs, or DM, "champions". Vitali was the Champ from 2004 until he retired in 2005. Wlad has been Champ since 2006 until today. He is the man to beat.
In terms of the most skillful and proven heavy he beat that's Chris Byrd, easy. Chagaev and Ibragimov were impressive wins due to how badly he shut them out, and the fact that both men were undefeated belt holders. Chambers was also impressive due to his evident skills and decent resume leading up to the fight. Peter 1 was a noteworthy win due to the circumstances and the way the fight went down. Haye was a big win due to the pressure Wlad was under to perform, and due to the fact that he shut out a man many experts were picking to beat him. Take your pick really. I'll go with Byrd.
Taking into account stylistic difficulties for Wladimir, Peter I and Haye. Two big punchers; one with a rock solid chin (at the time) who didn't know how to lose and the other with excellent speed and reflexes for a heavyweight. Overcame them both, despite being KD 3 times in the first Peter fight.
Considering the Tua and Holyfield fights why would Haye or Peter be better wins? Byrd is the most meaningful heavyweight win whether it was harder for him or not, imo.
Ok Byrd had the best record but taking into account the styles and wlads weaknesses I think Peter and Haye were his best wins