What will have to happen to become linear champion again, will all 4 belts have to be collected? only 3 along with the ring belt? at what point will any HW champion be considered the linear champion once again?
It is quite simple there are two ways: The most unlikely is that Lewis comes back. Otherwise the #1 and #2 contenders fight and we have ourselves a Heavyweight Champion of the World once more.
Wladimir is the champion, no doubt. However, I don't know who I'd rate higher, Iggy/Chagaev winner or Wladimir? Sure Wladimir has fought: Brewster Brock Austin Peter Byrd (IF IGGY WINS) Iggy has fought: Chagaev Briggs Austin (IF/WHEN:yep Chagaev wins) Chagaev has fought: Valuev Ruiz Ibragimov Virchis Right now, I would say if Iggy wins, then he sure is entitled to some respect in the division.. but I would only have him as #2 whilst holding two belts. If/When Chagaev wins, he's entitled to some major respect, and having a good resume, undefeated unified heavyweight champion of the world, he sure is the guy to be beat with Wlad. I don't really know as of now, Wladimir really has to fight the winner of this unification match.
It is unlikely that any champ will keep all four belts before being stripped of one. I think the winner of Ibragimov vs Chagaev, fighting Wlad will produce a new Ring Magazine / lineal champion.
Right now, with a fight between Wlad and the Ibragimov/Chagaev winner or maybe Peter (if he has a belt). The winner would also be Ring Champ.
In my eyes we need all 4 belts unified to have a linear champion. Wlad is the best heavyweight but not officially, he hasn't beat the other top guys in the division. I'm not saying he wouldn't, in fact I think he would but he hasn't yet.
The likely fights to come off are Maskaev v Peter (Samuel winner) v Maybe McCall.. Chagaev or Sultan winner will fight probably Klitschko if they can reach good negotiations.. Klit v Peter 2 a possible unification final........... a lot of maybe's though....