Since when has the public ever decided who's linear champ? If Lewis came back, yeah - he would be linear. Kinda nutty I know, but that's how it works. Age and public recognition would have absolutely zero to do with it.
sorry went of the subject of linear champ i just meant that it is generally the public that decides when a fighter is considered too old
He is linear champ and always will be since he retired the lineage, the next champ is of a new line. Its academic anyway because he is NOT coming back.
There would be substantial debate over whether Lewis was still the legitimate linear champ or not. Some would argue yes - as they do regarding Jeffries coming back - but the arguments, imo, are at best debatable. If a fighter retires - particularly for a lengthy period - he has, in effect, abdicated his claim to the title. There is no linear champ at the present moment, nor would there be if Lewis came back. He would be, in effect, the last former linear champ, as he is now.
Yes. He left the game and that allows someone to pick up where he left off. They simply have to unify the WBC and WBA belt. As it is, no one did. Had someone did it, then when Lewis came back, him being beat simply gives that fighter more legitimacy. Even if he is shot like Ali v Holmes or Jeffries v Johnson, beating the man has its worth.