NO HEIR APPARENT By Jeff Mayweather

Saturday night, March 8, 2003, was almost a case of life imitating art as The Next Heir Apparent, Great White Hope was dethroned and soon became The Great White Hype, only this screenplay played out a little differently. There was a twist that no one could have imagined, the conqueror was also White just of lesser stature.

The movie that starred Damon Wayans, Samuel Jackson and Jeff Goldblum portrayed a Black World Heavyweight champion who had dominated his competition so easily that the promoter had to create a challenger for him; one who would generate a large gate and create mass hysteria as the race card was played. Just as in real life when Larry Holmes was paired against Gerry Cooney, as Cooney was overrated so was Vladimir Klitschko.

Jim Lampley was at least honest enough to admit that he was the catalyst that started the parade and bandwagon for Klitschko. He admitted that every chance he got he would share his beliefs with the boxing world that this was the real thing, just as in the movie Jeff Goldblum bought solely into the Hype of a fighter that was more creation than substance.

Vladimir was very impressive in his climb to status yet his most significant victories came over Grandpa Mercer and 15 Minutes of Fame Jameel McCline. He even owns a victory over current I.B.F King Chris Byrd but to think that he was truly the best Heavyweight out there was a far stretch. He may still even become owner of a more substantial title than the W.B.O., but I never thought he could beat Lennox Lewis, who is the real Heavyweight Champion of the World. He may beat Roy Jones because of his size and for that same exact reason Roy would never fight him if he decides to stay at heavyweight.

Chris Byrd he has already beaten, and soundly I might add, Byrd too is a small heavyweight. Lennox Lewis is the real Challenge and maybe even Mike Tyson would be a great match up for Vladimir. Just as Larry Merchant rode the Shane Mosley wagon, Jim Lampley rode the Klitschko wagon. Only when things didn't go as Lampley thought they would, he was man enough to admit it. I still honestly think Klitschko has a chance but the next Heir Apparent? ... I think not.