Did anyone accept VITALI as the legitimate heavyweight champion when he beat Sanders?

No--I didn't because they leap frogged Byrd at the time. Byrd was on a huge winning streak and was 1-2 for quite awhile. As I recall, he was suppose to get a shot at Lewis but Lewis dropped the title so Byrd fought Holyfield for it. Byrd had a win over VK so how he could be leap frogged at that time was a joke. The Ring jumped the gun on this one.


JoeyP

 

no

 

Despite the loss, Vitali won the respect of many in the Lewis fight. Byrd was overlooked, perhaps unfairly, due to his relative inactivity at the time. I personally found it a bit confusing given that Byrd had beaten Vitali.

 

you know nothing

 

I agree with you, and that may have something to do with Vitali being the Ring champion. But, despite the circumstance, still a "W" for Byrd.

 

I am a Vitali fan but I didn't think he was the true champion. He was in my opinion the best fighter at heavyweight and I beleive had the ability to be the unified champion but potential doesn't mean a thing. A fighter doesn't become a champion by having the potential but by acheiveing his potential.

 

Ok--Let's get ouf facts straight---Byrd won that fight and got the W--thats all that counts. VK QUIT. I don't care what happened the 10 rounds before that. VK quit. Byrd won. End of story.

JoeyP

 

If I recall---VK was 1, Byrd was 2, and Sanders was 3. VK leapfrogged Byrd in the rankings based on a loss to Lewis. Byrd had been 1 for awhile and was on quite a win streak at that time.

 

Of course. Who else at that time would be considered champ besides the winner of that clash?

 

He wasn't Lineal. But I recognize him as a former Champ just like Marvin Hart is also a former Champ. Well, more than a Champ, Klit was an important Claimant, like Maher, Hart, Burns...

 

I'll have to check my old Ring mags from that time--but I'm pretty sure I'm right. I'll get back to you this evening.


JoeyP

 

Yes. He already gave the legitimate champion(Lewis) HELL and was running after him for almost a year to get a rematch and blew away Kirk Johnson when he had to. So yes, he DID become the legitimate champion.