Throughout boxing history, the heavyweight division has always attracted the attention of the casual fan more than any other. But over this past decade, the Klitschko brothers’ dominance, most notably Wladimir’s, has most Americans drawn to the lighter weight classes.

Many credit this to their lack of interest in fighting on U.S. soil, while others believe it’s the lack of American contenders in the division that truly have a shot at dethroning the current title holders.

Regardless, few can argue that we here in the States have not had much to cheer about when it comes to the big men of boxing.

In fact, the last American title holder was Shannon Briggs back in 2007, who held the WBO strap only to lose it in his first defense. And before that, Lamon Brewster, Hasim Rahman, John Ruiz, and Chris Byrd were all American champions, but none had the ability to stir up much interest from fans.

So we have to go back to before the new millennium, when Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield wore the crown, to find a home-grown heavyweight that captured the preoccupation of Americans.

Currently, there are no American heavyweights ranked in the top 5 of that division and the one’s in the top 20 are fighters like Chris Arreola, Eddie Chambers, Michael Grant, and Seth Mitchell. In short, and not to take anything away from any of those boxers, it doesn’t appear that we’ll have much to get excited about any time soon.

But, in the not too distant future that may all change. There is an amateur heavyweight, Michael Hunter, who fights out of Las Vegas, who has all the makings of a commanding world champion. He definitely has the pedigree since his father, Mike "the Bounty" Hunter, managed by actor James Caan for a few years, was a contender in the ‘90’s and beat Oliver McCall and Tyrell Biggs.

The senior Hunter lost a controversial decision to future world title holder Francois Botha. Then in 2006, while working as a trainer, he was gunned down by police in Los Angeles after pointing what turned out to be a fake gun at police.

Why those events are so important is because it was Hunter’s dream that his son win an Olympic medal. That has kept him from already turning pro. While awaiting the 2012 Olympic games, the younger Hunter has already captured two national amateur championships and helped Wladimir Klitschko prepare for his bout with David Haye.

Hunter had qualified for the 2008 Olympics but was derailed after getting food poisoning. At 6’2" and 215 lbs., Hunter has already received plenty of praise. Though not yet well known to boxing fans, he’s definitely building a name in the boxing community.

Emanuel Steward, Evander Holyfield, and Wladimir Klitschko have gone on record to say that they expect Hunter will be a future world champion. Most already believe he is more than ready to turn pro, but he and coach Ken Croom are prepared to stay the course and bring home a gold medal first.

Don’t get me wrong, there have been plenty of prospects with all the talent in the world that never evolved when they joined the professional ranks. But something tells me Michael Hunter will not suffer a similar fate. Instead, I expect to see him win the gold medal in Beijing, return to the U.S. and turn pro. Then just as the careers of the Klitschko’s are coming to an end, we will once again have ourselves an American heavyweight champion to be enthusiastic about.

Gossip

Top Rank is awaiting HBO Sports president Ken Hersham to begin his new job with them this week, before deciding on what to do with Yuriorkis Gamboa and Brandon Rios.

Rios lost his title after not being able to make the lightweight limit on the scales prior to his last win and only a meeting with Gamboa has kept him from moving to 140lbs. On the flip side, Gamboa is already 30 yrs old and hasn’t fought at lightweight, but the former featherweight title holder wants to move up.

The choice is to either have them fight on the same card to build more momentum for a showdown, or to move forward and make it both men’s next bout.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Floyd’s sentence has been suspended so he can fulfill his contractual obligation of fighting on May 5. According to Bob Arum who is due to meet with his fighter Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines this week to discuss options says they won’t be ready to get into the ring until much later.

Arum also believes that Mayweather will want another tune-up fight before facing Pacquiao and the names being tossed around at the moment as possible opponents are Robert Guerrero and Canelo Alvarez. The word is Guerrero is more likely to face Mayweather next.

2011 RECORD : 36-18 (67%)

(Vegas-Runner is a pro sports bettor in Las Vegas featured on CNBC/ESPN and currently holds the record for "Most Units Won" in a single year at the Sports Monitor. Follow VR on Twitter @vegasrunner and at Pregame.com