Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin for the Lineal Heavyweight title?

No he isn't. He retired in 2005 after having his last fight in 2004, made an announcement, and therefore, vacated it! In order to reclaim it, he either should have beaten the current lineal champion in 2008, which there wasn't any, or be the number one or number two, fighting the current number two or number one, which he didn't.

That Byrd was still number one in 2006. Check the rankings in April 2006, if you don't believe me. If you want to dispute the rankings, but Byrd is number one after Vitali retired in 2005. And in the same vein, Chagaev is number 3 in 2009.

In the same vein, Sanders is no. 3 in 2004, so if you don't allow number 1 vs number 3, then Vitali isn't a lineal champion in any way or form.

Sorry, I cannot in any way consider someone who retired for four years, a lineal champ just because he beat Sam Peter.

 

It is the fight. It is the one! Titles or no, it is another step to Wladimir greatness.