The history of title unifcation matches from 1967 to present:

Well, that would certainly mean Vitali was not a lineal champion or even 'The Man' when he beat Sanders, who held no belt. Sounds good from that viewpoint, better than the mess The Ring made of it when they jumped the gun.

 

I think I would like to see him beat sombody curently ranked in the top 3 before I call it for him. Expect the picture to simplify somewhat in the coming weeks.

1. Winner of Klitschko Ibragimov IBF/WBO
2. Winner of Peter Maskaev WBC
3. Ruslan Chagev WBA

 

No because Chagaev should rightfully be rated above Ibragimov. Chagaev beat Ruiz, Valuev, Ibragimov beat Shannon Briggs and a 70 year old ex champ

 

No Chagaev is definately no2 maybe number3 if Peter beats Maskeev but thats debatable. As you know I thought Chagaev looked **** recently but his resume is second only to Wlad. A semi-retired Maskeev whos looking for a final payday and hasnt fought in 2years and a relatively untested Ibragimov can't be rated above Chagaev in 2008.

I rate Wlad number 1 and he is definately building an impressive legacy for himself. I don't think Wlad can ever crack the top10 all time HWs but hes working his way into the top20 or maybe even top15 if he sticks around long enough.

A rematch with Peter, Chageav, David Haye and Povetkin are the fights I'd like to see Wlad take to see his career out. He'll take them all except maybe Haye and Peter

 

Its enough to validate him as the clear frontrunner and as "the man" of the HW division, but then again thats a distinction he already holds. But he's not "The Champion" until he unifies the outstanding major belts. There is no question that he is on the right path, and I expect him to unify and clear the mess up. but until he does he is not "The Champion"

 

If we go down the path of assuming that he's going to do something before he does it, well then we're making the same mistake The Ring did with Vitali.
I know I'm mentioning it again but it's an excellent example.

 

Where's Hearns - Leonard, Spinks - Qawi etc?