So what is the rumor on the IFBB Men's pro competition. Who is destined to win and who won't make the top 5. As always, making predictions is pretty much hard to do, as we never know who will show up in shape at these shows and who talks a lot, but just didn't get it dialed in at the right time - sometimes either too late or too early. Either way - we will all find out Saturday - and whether some of us have to pay up on various bets that was placed on the placings of the show.
Ed & Betty Pariso, the promoters of the weekend show - have always tried to treat everyone with fairness, and I have been told they run an excellent weekend expo and show. It shall be good. Coupled with some friends we meet every show, and the ability to take good pictures, get good stories and just have fun, and perhaps eat some Chinese Food (so I am addicted), I can't wait for the weekend. Even with a three hour flight to Dallas from Burbank, California.
The men's show prize was is as follows. $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, $3,000 for third, $2,000 for 4th, and $1,000 for 5th. And the winner of the best routine gets a nice trophy too. Standard prize money for a smaller IFBB show, but making it into the top three lets you qualify for the Mr. Olympia at the end of September, where even dead last place gets $4,000. But just the prestige of qualifying is good enough for many.
So here is the lineup and what we think of them.
1) Darrem Charles - Ah Darrem - this guy is just too good, for a smaller show. This guy also never gets any respect. He placed second to Phil Heath twice this year, at the Colorado Pro Show and the New York Pro show, and still, instead of relaxing and concentrating perhaps on the Olympia, the man is coming back to compete in the Super Show and the Montreal Pro show. Whoa. Talk about great genetics and the ability to keep his body in year round shape. Makes many people impressed. And immediately makes Darrem Charles the odds on favorite for kicking some serious ass in this show. I am sure that when the other competitors heard that Darrem was jumping into this show, groans - and loud ones too, came from many of their mouths.
2) Johnnie Jackson - O man. O wow. Johnnie is back in the house, competing here again for the second straight year. And Jonnie is a favorite at this show, considering last year, he placed second here. And also second at the 2005 Toronto Pro show too. Johnnie is a bad ass competitor too, training with heavy weights and a terror to deal with. We hear he recently got married a few weeks ago, so will that affect his ability to do well here. Nope. Look for Johnnie in the top three.
3) King Kamali - Back with a vengeance. I am ready now. These were the words heard around the Getbig boards and via his DVD for the New York Pro. Except something occurred. And it wasn't' good. But this time, Kamali will be ready. We have been predicting it for weeks, and getting slammed for it. King Kamali - no way in the top five. Hell no. This time, they are saying no way for the top three. But we believe in the King. We want to believe. We need to believe. We need to have 10 threads of King Kamali on the boards to discuss about. And since we have bets with a few people that he won't place in the top three, including one with Shawn Ray, I want to win. For goodness sakes, there is cheesecake and dinner on the line, and getting Shawn Ray to provide that would be an incredible sight. King for top three.
4) George Farah - Don't you push me around. Don't even think about it this time. For when George lost out to King Kamali by one place at the New York Pro, the guy was pissed. Mad. For how can someone like King Kamali beat George Farah, the bulletproof man! This time, George himself has told us that he will be in much better shape than the New York Pro show, where because of an injury, he was only in 80% of his normal competitor conditioning. But this is Dallas (ok Arlington), this is where George shines. He placed 3rd at this show in 2002. and qualified last year at the Charlotte Pro by placing 3rd also. Look out for George. He will be ready. Let's get ready to rumble on stage.
5) Toney Freeman - this guy is big. This guy, from the pictures we have seen, looks like he is going to do some damaged at this show, and since this lineup is not as deep as some of the others (aka, the big guys are at the Olympia), anyone who comes in conditioned, symmetrical, and muscular can get into the top three here. And there won't be any funny business here either, as the people from the internet will be watching, thanking to a webcast, courtesy of bodybuilding.com. If Toney comes in shape, kaboom - top three at this show, with others watching in disbelief that his time has come. Problem is, Toney has never placed higher than 5th at any pro show. Hopefully, it will change.
6) Dennis Wolf - the 2005 World Amateur Championship winner - heavyweight and overall - is the wildcard in this race. Basically - we don't know much about Dennis. Oh, Flex Magazine loves this guy - he already has a cover and is hyped very much to do well in his pro debut. But we don't know. He can come out looking great or being really big, and that is it. We just don't know. No one knows. Even if his pics were spectacular two weeks ago, things change rapidly in two days. And in preparing for a show against the other IFBB pros, anything can happen. After all, we all remember what happened to a certain highly promoted Russian a year or two back. But I for once would like to see what the German Howling Wolf can do.
7) Quincy Taylor - I like Quincy Taylor. Always have. The guy is big. 300 pounds big. But you never now what conditioning he will show up with on contest day. I remember seeing his three days before at an Ironman Pro show looking phenomenal, and then showing up on contest day without the hardness or conditioning that was there. So you just don't know. But Texas is where Quincy lives now, and the Super Show has shown mercy with him. Perhaps it is the timing of the show, but last year Quincy placed 3rd here. So once again, anything can happen with Quincy.
8) Rodney St. Cloud - If Rodney took this a little more seriously, perhaps the guy can get more respect. He took 6th place this year at the Colorado Pro, and 8th place at the New York Pro, but many people remember him for his most interesting routine he does with Kai Greene, complete with masks and all. Entertaining routine yes - and Rodney can perhaps win the entertainment routine round here, as he dances just as well as Melvin Anthony does. So it all depends on Rodney's conditioning at this show!
9) Idrise Ward-El - Idrise has not had a great pro career, his highest placing was 9th at the 2005 Ironman Pro. But seeing some pics of Idrise a few weeks back at the NPC Los Angeles champions made us think that perhaps he will be ready for this show, and will come out of the dark and into the light of the top five. But it will be hard. Still, we have faith for Idrise, but this lineup is one which no one knows where you will place until the day of the contest.
10) Marcus Haley - for his rookie debut, Marcus placed 4th at the Colorado Pro show, amazing everyone, and showing that he can do well in the pros. However, this show is only a few months after that show, and can Marcus do it again, or will his conditioning, training and dieting fail him in coming in the top 7 at this show. We shall see.
11) Art Atwood - Art is big. Art is huge. Art lives in Texas now. Art has his own line of supplement products now. Art told me at the Arnold he is not sure if he wants to compete. And now Art is competing. But one wonders if Art is going to live up to his past expectations that we all except from him. 2005 was not a good year for Art, placing 10th at the San Francisco show. Still, we have hope for the man, for in 2002, he won the Toronto Pro show, and when one wins a show, one can always come back and surprise us all.
12) Tricky Jackson - first pro show, having won the 2005 NPC Nationals Middleweight class. This is a good show for the awakening of the difficulties of the pro show. And to overcome the jitters of the pro stage. Lets see what you got!
Others in the lineup include Frank Roberson, the Texas tornado, has always wears his hats and boots, but hasn't found his niche yet. David Fisher is competing again, just for fun, since he hasn't competed since 2000. Others include Jojo Ntiforo, George Turmon, Roland Huff, Lyndon Belgrave, Shehab Eldin, Sameul Silvio, Joel Stubbs and whomever else that may be added.
See you there…
