I was thinking about doing a "Letter to Phil" type thread back a month ago, but I decided not to. I think Kai pushed him, and I think Phil may have come to realize, that this will not be easy, and that he has to put in some serious work, and he can't take anything for granted. I think that Phil will come in and win convincingly, he may even blow people's minds...and possibly even changed people's perception of him--back to a positive view of him. Although, I do think it would be good if Kai won it, as he is now "the people's champ".
The aura and in my opinion the reality of the story of these two is picture perfect.
One guy is perceived as having the good life.
Phil Heath, light skin, light eyes, handsome, pretty physique, from Colorado, plays the piano, played basketball in college, vouched for by Mr. O Jay Cutler, sprints through NPC undefeated, Tore through the IFBB, magazine covers, sponsorships, the dream IFBB career.
The other guy is perceived as having had and certainly has it very rough throughout life.
Kai Green, dark skin, dark eyes, "the hair", scarred face and head, not looked at as traditionally handsome, ruggedly artistic physique, from New York, is an artist, all he knows is bodybuilding, no father, no mother, group homes, ghettos and grapefruits, fought for everything he has, worked through the ranks of team universe to earn his pro card. Not to many magazine covers, not looked at being traditionally "marketable."
It doesn't get much more contrasting than this. Each will push each other into unseen levels of physique art. Because both are equally motivated. Like I said, I don't see what else Phil can do outside of conditioning and maybe a little more fullness. Kai has more room to work with and his muscle has a mature look to it where Phil's still has a balloonish, cartoonish look. In the end, I believe history will say Kai was a better bodybuilder assuming neither has career ending injuries or "injuries." They key is that they pushed each other.