I will, for the following reasons: 1. Wlad has been on the top for almost two years. He beat Peter and Byrd almost two years ago. 2. He will unify titles. 3. Chagaev was ill, he has been an inactive beltholder. His next fight will he a tuneup for Valuev-Sergei. 4. Let's not talk about Maskaev, who has been inactive all the year and is old. 5. Wlad has already beat Peter, who is the Interim WBC beltholder. He has also beat Byrd and Brewster, who were former #1 contenders.
I wouldn't say THE champion, but its a step in the right direction. I still consider Wlad the man to beat, so having an extra belt would certainly raise his stock in my opinion.
Wlad is already the undisputed nr.1 at heavy weight.He doesnt need Sultan to prove his nr.1 status. The feather fisted American based Russian fighter is really no match and serious threat to Wlad. Sam Peter ,Oleg Maskaev and Vladimir Virchis have a puncher's chance against Wlad,but the only true challenger out there is Alexander Povetkin. None of the other heavies cant hold a candle to him. Povetkin is the real challenge-Sultan is just another opponent.
I will consider him the "Champ" when he unifyes as of now he is the best heavyweight in the world. The Champ and the best arnt always the same in my book.
Wlad is the closest thing to a heavyweight champ right now, which isn't saying much considering the sorry state of heavyweight affairs these days.He's kind of like the nearsighted king in the land of the blind.
i agree. chagaev is 2 and sultan is 3 imo. Peter was badly exposed is his last fight (i rank him 5-7) and #4 Maskaev is almost 40 and hasnt fought in nearly a year and a legit opponent in 15 months. imo, if wlad slaughters iggy, not just decisions him, he is THE legit champ and the last one since lennox. I just feel that the other 2 beltholders, Chagaev and maskaev wont want to face wlad especially after steamrolling iggy. the only other unification i could see in 08 would be if valuev gets by the White Kitten :yep and beats chagaev. then we could see wlad-valuev. other than than, wlad just needs to fight thompson-povetkin who should fight each in a super eliminator to determine's wlad's next opponent
:good Well said. The divsion won't get the rise in mainstream public notoriety that it sorely needs from one fighter being seen as the number one heavyweight by boxing sites, ring magazine, or the diehard boxing fans......... The division, the flagship division, the heavyweights, will really start to get a resurrection in popularity when ALL of the main titles are brought together, and things begin to become clear as to who the man is at heavy. But I think its gonna take a second unification fight to really get things cooking. But this first unification fight (assuming it happens) is the all important start. And this fight, alone, will really help the divsion, even if nothing further happens, but I think a second unifying fight will be put together in the not so distant future. :good
Funny, but I don't agee. I think Wladimir would be competitive, if not more than competitive, in any era, given his size, skill, discipline, and power.But that's another thread.
Yes, I already do consider Wlad the real champ. Iggy is an easy fight for Wlad, and at least Wlad could get rid of a lame ass Heavyweight like he did Brock. I would be happy to either fighter lose, I like niether fighter.
The Ring doesn't have a champion but has a number one (Wlad) ??? Other sanction bodies sometimes have a champ and indicate the #1 contender spot is vacant but supply a number 2 ????? These guys could benefit from introductory courses in math and logic. If there are NO other boxers in the division the #1 contender spot could be vacant, but if you have no number 1 and you do have a #2, you are somewhat ****ed in the head. But I digress. Wlad is currently the best even if he had no titles. I will consider whoever beats him next to be the best. I'm long past caring about the WBA/WBC/IBF/and WBO. Jose Suliman ? (Idi Amin, Sadaam Hussein, Papa Doc, The dear leader...)
I agree Wlad is the main man at heavyweight, and would be competitive in any era but he will always be vulnerable because of his shaky chin, he had to hold on for dear life against Sam Peter to keep from getting KO'D... btw Wlad KO 11 Iggy...
I'll continue to consider Wlad the best of the title holders, but I don't think beating Iggy makes him the undisputed champion.
