He only went to Florida for a couple of weeks. I doubt it was for more than a month. He was in better shape prior to going and he exploded after Florida the same year. I think it was 1971. He competed against Pearl and lost legit. After that contest he must have went nuts in the gym in Chicago because the was the best shape he ever achieved. Maybe months later after the lost it was insane what he achieved without growth hormone and insulin. Arguably the greatest bodybuilder of all time.
I never understand why people make claims that are easily proven false. Sergio has been interviewed several times regarding his time with Jones. Recounting his experience has always been consistent.
David Robson: Of course your arm development was very impressive. For the record Sergio how big were you able to build your massive arms?
Sergio Oliva: My arms were so crazy and the only one who measured them was Arthur Jones. God bless him in heaven because he was real good to me and he was a very honest guy. He didn't believe in all the other stuff. With me he was like a father and took me under his wing. And I spent, I believe
it was four or five months in Deland Florida with him and he took care of everything and he took care of me like I was a king. The guy was an incredible man.
BDJ: Judging from past photos, I believe you were your biggest while training with Jones.
SO: No question about it. And it's too bad... I should have stayed with him. When I went to London in 1970 for the Mr. Universe, everyone knew I beat those guys, including Bill Pearl... I was given second place. From there I was to go to the 1971 Mr. Olympia, in Paris. I spoke to Serge Nubret who asked that I go to the Mr. Olympia since Joe Weider wouldn't be there to fix the contest. I then flew to Paris, and while there Joe found out I was going to compete. And he refused... he would not let me compete. He said I was suspended for a year because I competed in the non-IFBB sanctioned Mr. Universe in London the year before. He used any kind of trick. He allowed me to do a posing exhibition, but not compete. In 1972, the Mr. Olympia promoter called everyone to go, and everyone did. But Joe didn't want Arnold to go, but Arnold wanted to compete. (I have nothing against Arnold, he has done very well; many people used him in the beginning, then he used them.) Arnold competed in Essen.
By that time, the training I had with Jones allowed me to win the contest by miles. People are still talking about Essen '72. Even Arnold himself said that he didn't win, that it was nothing but politics... it was nothing but politics, but they gave it to him. After that contest Weider put the promoter out of the promotion business. Serge Nubret used to be the big man when it came to running contests. Weider also put him out of the business because Serge did not want to run the contests the way Weider wanted to run them * his way with the placings predetermined.
