Is Mayweather still lineal champ at 147?

No one on the board has brought this up, but would you still recognize Mayweather as lineal welterweight champ when he steps into the ring July 18 against Marquez?

I understand the "NO" argument being based on his 17-month inactivity and "retirement."

But what about the "YES" argument? He never lost his title in the ring, and by fighting again at the welter limit (albeit a catchweight), one could argue that he will be defending the lineal title.

One fact backing up this statement is that in between his junior welterweight lineal title defense against James Leija and his return against Sharmba Mitchell, Kostya Tszyu had a 22-month layoff, which will be LONGER than the 19-month span PBF will have gone after his win over Hatton. No one questioned Tszyu's legitimacy as champion.

Then again, one could refute this by arguing that Kostya never formally retired like Mayweather did, which means Tszyu was never stripped of his title. (The Ring no longer recognizes Mayweather as champ; their belt is vacant. On the other hand, Ring never stripped KT during his hiatus.)

However, one could argue right back by offering this:
Since Williams has moved up in weight, and Mosley has not defeated Cotto yet (while holding the #1 and #2 rankings), no one has formally taken Floyd's place as true lineal welterweight champ since he's been gone.

Thoughts?

 

No, Floyd made his retirement official over a year ago. Everybody had to drop him from the rankings.

There is also the rule that after 1 year of inactivity, he is no longer champion, and that rule is respected by most.

 

No. Been too long.

 

No, plus he hasn't fought any of the top welters (mosley, cotto)

 

Mosley is.

 

No. He's the top guy but not the lineal champ.

He needs to beat Cotto and Berto.

 

no. when he "retired" he already dropped those claims.

 

Yes, he never lost his belt in the Ring and he is an active boxer. In the old days he would still have the belt, he just took a break. When/If Floyd fights at 147 again, it will be for the lineal title.

 

Gonna be awhile, he still has to wait for Mosley and Cotto to drop down so he can fight someone easy

 

He should be p4p #1, though. He was before he retired.

 

May I ask why? I personaly don't think he deserves to.

 

He was #1 before Manny. Was the recognized #1.

 

This is part of the reason Lineal titles are BS.

 

and floyd has fought who?

 

NO coz he retired officially then that title became vacant...