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I was on another forum discussing the linear championship, one person claiming the Klitchsko is the linear champion because he won the belt that Lewis last held - according to him this is how it has been done in the past (although difference was there was only one belt available).

Another poster pointed out that had Michael Spinks and George Foreman (after his second reign) retired after they were stripped then Tony Tucker and Michael Moorer would have been linear champions respectively if you follow this theory.

I thought I was big and clever and replied - "well actually, Frans Botha won the IBF title first after Foreman". Now, I knew he tested positive for steriods but I still thought he was declared champ before being stripped.

However, I got a reply that no - the Schultz fight was declared a no contest and the belt was immediately stripped and declared vacant. So all of the introductions after calling Botha a former world champion were bollocks. He NEVER officially held the world title. The same has applied to Toney.

Learn something new

I think most reasonable people would accept Vitali is the "most linear" champion after the last linear champ retired undefeated.

At one point didn't the retiering champion choose who got to fight for there title. I think I read that somewhere that Marciano nominated Moore and Patteson to fight for his title (could be wrong on that one)

Lewis probably would have nominated Vitali and Corrie Sanders anyway. Vitali is the legitimate champ in my view.

I think there is as strong a case for Byrd as there is Klitchsko. Byrd has more top ten wins, Byrd has beaten ex-linear champs and beat a guy who beat a guy that beat Lewis (Tua).

Also, Lewis beat Klitchsko he never faced Byrd.

Most important though, is Byrd beat Klitchsko.

stujones wrote:I think there is as strong a case for Byrd as there is Klitchsko. Byrd has more top ten wins, Byrd has beaten ex-linear champs and beat a guy who beat a guy that beat Lewis (Tua).

Also, Lewis beat Klitchsko he never faced Byrd.

Most important though, is Byrd beat Klitchsko.

I agree with the sentiment that Byrd is hard done by - especially in light of his win, albeit by injury, over Klitschko. Those two really need to sort this out.

There is no linear champ at the moment, because no one beat Lewis. The belt holders will all have to fight each other, if we're to find out who the next linear champ will be. Although, we all know it will be Vitali. The heavyweight division sucks, and now Louise is back.

BOLLOCKS1984 wrote:There is no linear champ at the moment, because no one beat Lewis. The belt holders will all have to fight each other, if we're to find out who the next linear champ will be. Although, we all know it will be Vitali. The heavyweight division sucks, and now Louise is back.

Pretty much my view, but I don't mind Ruiz being back.

I think the next "Linear" (not really Linear, but "the man") champ will be the first belt holder to win two or more belts (of the big 4).

Anyone know the latest on Toney, how long is he suspended for. I still think he will be champion before the years end.

stujones wrote:

BOLLOCKS1984 wrote:There is no linear champ at the moment, because no one beat Lewis. The belt holders will all have to fight each other, if we're to find out who the next linear champ will be. Although, we all know it will be Vitali. The heavyweight division sucks, and now Louise is back.

Pretty much my view, but I don't mind Ruiz being back.

I think the next "Linear" (not really Linear, but "the man") champ will be the first belt holder to win two or more belts (of the big 4).

Anyone know the latest on Toney, how long is he suspended for. I still think he will be champion before the years end.

From boxingtalk:
"WBA heavyweight titlist James Toney appeared on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights and, in a televised interview with Brian Kenney, indicated that he would not appeal the failed drug test that transformed his April 30, 2005 victory over John Ruiz into a no-contest. Toney said the positive test result came from drugs that were prescribed to him by his physician and that he planned to serve his 90-day suspension and then resume his career." and "James Toney has been officially stripped of his title and John Ruiz is once again the WBA heavyweight champion of the world. Toney captured the title from Ruiz on April 30 by winning a unanimous decision, but post-fight drug tests revealed that Toney had performance-enhancing drugs in his system. Toney and Ruiz received copies of a letter addressed from WBA attorney Robert Mack to Toney stating, "based on the actions of the New York State Athletic Commission and the test results on which the commission relied, the WBA must vacate your championship ranking and reinstate John Ruiz as the champion."

stujones wrote:I think there is as strong a case for Byrd as there is Klitchsko. Byrd has more top ten wins, Byrd has beaten ex-linear champs and beat a guy who beat a guy that beat Lewis (Tua).

Also, Lewis beat Klitchsko he never faced Byrd.

Most important though, is Byrd beat Klitchsko.

I agree in something like a points system Byrd is probably the top man now, but I wouldn't bet on him to beat Vitali in a million years in any rematch so I make Klitschko No 1. Byrd's win over Vitali cannot be construed as a legitimate win because:

a. Byrd was a mile behind at the time, and
b. Byrd did not cause the injury that lead to Klitschko's retirement

But I'll give Chris his due, he's taken his opportunities well and did face and beat Tua.

Will we have a Frans Botha situation here and Toney become mandated to fight for the WBA belt again.

Failed a drugs test but could be in the same position 6 months down the road. I do not believe for one bit that the drugs seriously enhanced Toney's performance.