The Significance of Vitali - Peter

Was there no need for Schmeling to face Louis again ?

Well there was because Louis was obviously champ.
Now Peter holding the WBC title doesn't make him a champ but the point still stands that what he's done since that loss means he deserves a second fight.
Since that fight Peter has beaten Toney, McCline and Maskaev(aswsell as some lesser fighters) which have made him higher ranked now than he was back then.

Wlad himself wasn't the #1 at the time either, Peter was the first top 10 guy he fought since getting beaten by Brewster.

If Peter wins tonight he will be perceived as the #2 man in most peoples eyes. Wladamir hasn't fought the #2 guy since he became recognized as the #1. What should we do, have the #1 and #2 guys fight and the winner can be champ.

Or just declare the guy who seems like the best champion without having to prove it ?

Beaten a guy then doesn't mean a win now, timing is essential and while I think the outcome would be the same. That doesn't mean we can just crown Wlad champion now and pretend he's been champion all along.

 

Louis-Schmeling is totally different circumstances. Louis lost to Max just 1 year before he won the title so he had to beat Schmeling to 'legitimize' his reign.

Wlad has already beaten Peter in a title fight, he's under no such pressure. I know what you mean about the number 1 and 2 fighting would draw a nice line under things but, as it stands, should Peter win it'll be him that needs Wlad to give weight to his title not the other way around.

As for crowning Wlad now and saying he was the best all along, no its not ideal but its what happened to Larry Holmes and sometimes it just has to do.