It's kind of funny that the top bodybuilders who competed against both yates and Ronnie during their prime state that Ronnie is the greatest bodybuilder of all-time, but none of them except for Lee Priest say that yates is. I have never seen quotes from anyone stating that yates is the greatest bodybuilder of all-time. I've asked the yates fan club to even post 3 quotes from bodybuilders, experts, etc. stating this, but they won't do it. Here are the best bodybuilders, experts, writers, etc stating the obvious:
Greatest/ Best/Most Dominant/ Mr. Olympia/Bodybuilder/Physique Of All-Time
1) Flex stating that Ronnie is the most biggest, hardest, shredded bodybuilder in history. Flex has competed against both guys in their prime:
Flex Wheeler - MD, February 2004
"I'll go on record as saying Ronnie is truly the biggest, hardest, most shredded Mr. Olympia in history. No disrespect to anybody at all, but I'd to identify Ronnie Coleman as the greatest Mr. Olympia of all time."
2) Jean Pierre Fux stating that Ronnie has the best physique ever. Jean has competed against both guys:
"Jean Pierre Fux - http://www.criticalbench.com/Jean-Pierre-Fux.htm
"The current Mr. Olympia (Ronnie Coleman). In top shape, probably the best physique that ever stepped on stage."
3) John Hansen, 2x Mr. Natural Universe and Mr. Natural Olympia stating that Ronnie has presented a physique that could not be equaled (which also means that Ronnie has surpassed "everyone", that includes your hero yates):
John Hansen, 2x Mr. Natural Universe and Mr. Natural Olympia - Personal Website
"It would be safe to say that [Ronnie Coleman] presented a physique that has never been seen by the bodybuilding world ever before. Competing at an incredibly massive 287 pounds, Ronnie destroyed the competition with a physique that could not possibly be equaled."
4) John Hansen, 2x Mr. Natural Universe and Mr. Natural Olympia - Personal Website for the 2000 Mr. Olympia
"Many people in the sport have also talked about the fact that Ronnie Coleman may be the best Mr. Olympia ever!"
5) George De Pirro Flex Senior Editor Says that Ronnie is the most dominant pro bodybuilder of all-time:
FLEX Article talking about bodybuilding (Ronnie Coleman) from 96-06 Mr. O
"Anyone who denies Coleman's dominion over the past decade is truly kidding himself."
"The fact that the two contests under consideration basically bookend his reign at the top further solidifies his claim as the most dominating pro bodybuilder of all time."
6) Ron Harris says that Ronnie is tied with Haney as the greatest Mr. Olympia ever:
Ronnie Coleman - Bodybuilder Profile - 8X Mr. Olympia
A living legend in our sport
By Ron Harris
http://www.bodybuilderprofiles.com/ronnie-coleman.htm
"280-pound Ronnie emerged triumphant and joined Haney as the greatest Olympia champion ever."
7) Steve Blechman states that Ronnie is the greatest Mr. Olympia of all-time:
MD, page 44, Feb. 04, -Steve Blechman: "Ronnie Coleman is not only the greatest Mr. O of all time, he is also one of the oldest"
MR. OLYMPIA: EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED
By: SHAWN PERINE
http://www.flexonline.com/news/245
"The man many consider the greatest bodybuilder who’s ever lived (Cutler himself has paid Coleman such a tribute) will no doubt squeeze every last ounce of potential from his superannuated self in his fight to regain his supremacy."
9) BACK TO WORK
http://www.flexonline.com/training/97
"He’s still, in the estimation of many, the greatest bodybuilder who ever lived."
10) Dan Soloman on Ronnie Coleman 2003 at the 2004 Mr. Olympia:
“Last year Ronnie Coleman presented what we thought was the most extraordinary overall package in the history of the sport.”
11) Ben Weider – 2005 Mr Olympia:
“Ronnie Coleman will go down in history as the greatest Mr. Olympia of All-Time.”
12) Allan Donnelly - Flex Issue November 2007 – Day In The Life Of Ronnie Coleman:
“In bodybuilding there has been no greater champion than Ronnie Coleman.”
“But he emerged – seemingly from nowhere - as perhaps the most dominant force the sport has ever seen.”
“I can’t help but wonder if the man who could be remembered as the greatest bodybuilder in history has one more great performance yet to give.”
13) Flex Wheeler at the 2007 Mr. Olympia about Ronnie Coleman:
“Ronnie is the biggest, hardest and most complete Mr. Olympia that ever walked the stage. Ronnie will go down as far as right now, unless somebody topples him in eight years. He’s the greatest Mr. Olympia of All-Time. I find it very hard to believe that somebody to be able to super exceed that.
14) Dave Palumbo at the 2007 Mr. Olympia about Ronnie Coleman:
“Ronnie Coleman is the greatest Mr. Olympia champion of All-Time. He has the most career wins.”
15) Dan Soloman & Gunter Schlierkamp at the 2007 Mr. Olympia about Ronnie Coleman:
“We are watching arguably the greatest bodybuilder of All-time compete possibly in his final contest.”
“Ronnie Coleman at his very best was the greatest bodybuilder to ever live and it’s going to be a long time until someone comes along and prove other wise.
Gunter Schlierkamp: Yes.”
16) David Robson - 2007 Mr. Olympia Review:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson315.htm
“Not the perfect ending for Ronnie but he will leave the sport secure in the knowledge that he is the greatest pro bodybuilder ever to grace the stage.”
17) Bob Cicherillo - Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Show #90, October 1, 2007:
“What we just witnessed was history in the making. Ronnie would stop short of saying that he is the greatest of All-Time. I actually took that opportunity to say, you know what Ronnie, you can say it man. You are the best bodybuilder of All-Time.”
18) Written by Raymond Cassar - 2007 Muscletime Olympia Report
http://www.muscletime.com/news/latest/2007-mr-olympia-analysis/
“First I need to get one thing out of the way: There is no one alive that can beat Ronnie Coleman when he is at his best – No One! (and his best for me was when he won the 2001 Arnold Classic).”
19) Peter McGough Flex Magazine August 2005
“Personally, the best physique I ever saw onstage (there was a contender for best-ever that I saw offstage: those crazy photos of sock-footed Dorian Yates taken seven weeks before the 1993 Mr. Olympia) was Ronnie's at the 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic. He was cut, full, trim in the waist and a monster (proving that when you're supersharp, you look superbig) at 244 pounds. Ronnie sporting that look would, in my opinion, be unbeatable and would make any criticisms as redundant as a chocolate squat rack.”
20) FLEX ARTICLE - O CONTENDERS READY FOR BUSINESS
“Cutler, meanwhile, spoke about his bold promise to shave his famous head of hair if he loses and even called Coleman "the greatest bodybuilder of all time"
21) Flex Team – http://www.flexonline.com/training/49
“We’ve said before that the 245 pounds or so physique with which you won the 2001 Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic is the best ever — unbeatable.”
21) Is Ronnie the Greatest Flexer of them all?
By Lonnie Teper MD December 2005
I've always said that it's too hard to compare athletes of different eras;
(Then he names a few Mr. Olympias including Dorian.)
Still, it's hard to imagine that anybody who's ever stepped on a bodybuilding stage
could have beaten Coleman.
So I reserve the right to change my mind on this one. No offense to the rest of the champs-
you were/are all truly amazing physique athletes-but Coleman has really taken it to the next
level, as all magnificent conquerors do.
Quote, Joe Weider:
"Many experts, including reigning Mr.Olympia, Jay Cutler, believe that at his best Ronnie has the greatest physique of all times. When looking at pictures of Ronnie from the 1998 Mr.Olympia, I find it hard to argue with that."
Eryk Bui:
Invincible Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman is the best of all time.
Victor Martinez:
He's the best ever...All past Olympians had something missing. But not Ronnie; he has everything.
Mike Matarrazo:
"Yeah, he's he's the best that's ever lived. I don't know what the future holds, but he's certainly the best I've ever seen in my lifetime.
Quincy Taylor: He's built up past the point of anything I've ever seen.
Melvin Anthony: Asked if Ronnie is the greatest bodybuilder ever..
Absolutely! He's in a class by himself.
Toney Freeman asked the same..
For Sure! He's at the top of the food chain.
Branch Warren: Yes, He's the best ever.
Capriese Murray:
Yeah, Definately. None of the past Mr. Olympias could possibly match his size and conditioning.
Craig Richardson: Asked if Ronnie is the greatest bodybuilder ever..
Yes. He didn't have the greatest body 10 years ago, now he's the best in the world.
Stan McCrary: Yes, He's the best ever.
Chris Cormier: I'd say back in 98-99 he was the best ever.
Aaron Baker: Yes, He's the best ever. He has produced a package that has yet to be surpassed.
Don Long: I am going to have to say yes he is the best ever.
Ron Harris: I think Ronnie is the best Mr. O ever.
Greg Valentino: Ronnie Coleman is the greatest bodybuilder ever.
Joe McNeal: Yes, He's the best ever. Without a doubt! That shouldn't even be a question.
King Kamali: Yes, Ronnie is the best Mr. O of all time, period!
Charles Glass: As of right now, Ronnie is the best of all time.
Dorian Yates: I think it's a little hard for me to comment as I think I am the greatest ever! (Laughs)"
Interesting Note during this question:
There were a couple of others who said Arnold or hinted at Haney but only one said Yates,
and that was the man himself.
Ryan Mackie - My 2003 Olympia Experience (Hosted on Bodybuilding.com):
"Everyone could see that at 287 pounds this was Ronnie's night and that he was back on top of his game and furthermore bodybuilding had just seen the bar of excellence raised even further. Just like Dorian Yates did in 1993 when he set a new standard, Ronnie has now taken it even further leaving all his competitors wonder what they have to do to now catch Ronnie Coleman, let alone beat him."
Paul Dillet stating that Ronnie has set standards that no one can measure up to. (yates name not even mentioned)
Paul Dillet - MD, February 2004
"Understand that if Ronnie walked away tomorrow, I do not think anyone can measure up to the standards he has set. Just like Sergio Oliva, an awesome bodybuilder way ahead of his time, and like Flex Wheeler, who had an absolutely perfect, beautiful physique. No one will match Sergio or Flex and now Ronnie."
Bob Cicherillo - PBW "2007 Olympia Prediction Show!" Show #89, September 24, 2007
"When we talk about Ronnie Coleman, we almost have to talk about him as different versions of Ronnie. You got the 1998 & 2001 version of Ronnie. At 100% there's not a soul on this planet or any other that can touch him. He would walk out on that stage, dominate everybody and walk away with his 9th Sandow."
Dexter Jackson - Flex, January 2004
"As to Ronnie, that dude is by far the best bodybuilder on earth, he is in a class by himself, and no one will be able to touch him for years to come."
Melvin Anthony - 09/18/2007 OLYMPIA COUNTDOWN Part 1
“Ronnie is in a league by himself”
David Robson on Ronnie Coleman 2006 Mr. Olympia Preview:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/drobson204.htm
“It has been said many times that Ronnie is in a class of his own”
Craig Titus on Ronnie Coleman Mr. Olympia 2003 Preview:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/dan11.htm
“Ronnie is an absolute freak of nature both on stage and in the gym. If anyone would like to argue with that, please feel free to purchase his training tape and see exactly what a freak does. Never have I seen such strength when it comes to a pro bodybuilder. Now on stage Ronnie has everything he needs to blow the competition away. He's in a class all by himself, period! No one and I mean NO ONE is even remotely close to the amount of muscle he carries and the density at which he carries it. Now we could go body part by part, but still he's the man with legs, shoulders, arms, delts, chest, he has them all beat. The only body part that he could get beat on is his calves.”
Myron Mielke on Ronnie Coleman:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/mielke29.htm
“Why not save the best for last? Ronnie has brought several looks to the stage through his bodybuilding career. Many agree his best look was at his Arnold Classic win in 2001. In 2003 he blew everyone away with the most incredible size and conditioning ever seen in a bodybuilding competition.”
Milos Sarcev - FLEX Issue September 2000:
FLEX Magazine Question: “In a line up of freaks, can the aesthetics of your physique earn you a better than your 10th-place finish last year?”
Milos Sarcev: “Absolutely. I’m looking forward to the 2000 Mr. Olympia because the contest is wide open – with the exception of first place, of course, which is occupied by the one bodybuilder who is both a mass monster and extremely symmetrical and aesthetic. Other than Ronnie, no one is unbeatable.”
How the hell is this NOT the "end-all" post for all the Ronnie vs Dorian threads?!
Seriously, there's no comeback to this!
Everyone talks about how you can't judge a show by the photos, and how you have to see these guys in person....well who has a better view than their fellow competitors who saw Ronnie and Dorian on and off stage!!
sorry, but all these Pros/fans/judges/critics/founders (ben weider) can't be wrong...
Dorian = above avg genetics + great response to drugs + intense work ethic = great Mr O
Ronnie = IDEAL bodybuilding genetics + great response to drugs + intense work ethic = GREATEST MR O
