Quote Originally Posted by The Rookie Fan
As I said before, I believe that after the title is vacated, the next unification bout decides who the next lineal champion is. It does not have to be the next undisputed champion. That is why there is no lineal champion at HW. No unification fight made since Lewis retired.

If the Ibragimov-Chagaev fight had gone ahead, the winner would be the lineal Heavyweight champion of the world? Jesus.

Also, one question to Mick, who have done very well on this thread:
When you say "regarded as the two best fighters in the weightclass", then regarded by whom exactly? I take it you mean the Ring, because 'general consensus' seems like a very subjective and elusive thing that doesn't really go down well with the idea of establishing an 'objective lineal champ'. The RJJ debate on this thread actually being a case in point for that.