Who are the top ten heavyweights who never received a lineal title shot?

A funny thought just occurred to me.

with Vitali just retiring recently, and with it realistically being arguably difficult to consider Wlad lineal when he never fought the main contender in Vitali, was Wlad's victory over Alex leapai the win which finally made him the undisputed World lineal champion?

 

In my eyes, it is the second Byrd fight. In some other eyes, it was Ibragimov. Many said it was Chagaev. Some said Haye. And some purists said it was Povetkin. To my eyes, Wlad was already THE MAN and the king of the HW division way back in 2006, but to remove all doubt...

It is Povetkin! Vitali fought Charr in September 2012. Povetkin fight happened in October 2013! He was justly booted off all the rankings in September 2012, then Haye pulled out of the Tyson Fury fight, having himself had his last fight in July 2012.

Leaving Wlad number 1 and Povetkin number 2 in October 2013!!

 

good list

 

As someone pointed out, listing Jerry Quarry is questionable. He did after all fight Ali who was considered as being "lineal", plus had to additional title shots at Joe Frazier and Jimmy Ellis, be they lineal or not. kinda hard to put him in the company of those who never got those opportunities.

 

Ali did announce his retirement so Frazier/Ellis could be for the vacant crown. But as someone who considers Holmes became champ by beating Ali (who announced another retirement in 79) I can see where you and Tonifranz are coming from. You both have a very good point...

 

You are right about Vitali, but lineal rules disqualify Wlad ever becoming champ thus far. Arguably if he fights Pulev, with Vitali's retirement, it would be for the vacant crown between the #1 and #2 contenders.

 

I'd put Larry Gains over Quarry.

 

Vitali had not called it a day, thus he would be ranked #1 or #2 at that time.

 

But he did not retire until December last year; the one year thing is not a precedent set be lineal; they have a precedent set with Dempsey...