Author Topic: 25 years today since I started promoting bodybuilding (Read 6885 times)

Tony Doherty · « **on:** April 16, 2013, 07:32:03 PM »

25 years ago (1988) I promoted my first IFBB amateur show. Brian Buchanan was the guest poser. Since then I have brought just about ever pro to Australia and have promoted the Australian Pro for the last 13 years. Have had every Mr Olympia here since Haney and promoted around 100 contests. There have been plenty of highs and lows but overall it has been a great trip. Paul Graham gave me a chance when I was only 23, so thanks to him for believing in me all that time ago.

Thought I would start this thread and put up a few pics you may have never seen from along the way. Happy to answer any questions and maybe tell a few stories.

Thanks to all of the athletes, fans and sponsors that have supported. Getbig has been a huge part of it over the years, I have been here since Ron stated it at American bodybuilding. Have met a lot of you from here over the years, so thanks to Ron and Getbig.

TD

Natural Man · « **Reply #1 on:** April 16, 2013, 07:33:20 PM »

jwb · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2013, 07:34:43 PM »

How much was you first sanction fee?

Tony Doherty · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2013, 07:35:58 PM »

Quote from: jwb on April 16, 2013, 07:34:43 PM

How much was you first sanction fee?

I think it was about $1000 for the amateur show and a lot more for the 1st pro show.

jwb · « **Reply #4 on:** April 16, 2013, 07:38:41 PM »

You got any pics of when Yates guest posed in 1992?

He looked insane for being two weeks after a show.

Tony Doherty · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:19:36 PM »

Here is a shot that I took at the Olympia that year. I will find a shot of when he got here. You are right he was in insane shape. Still eating tuna out of a can 3 weeks after the Olympia to give the fans good value.

BikiniSlut · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:22:44 PM »

Why don't you promote female bodybuilding? Be honest.

Pet shop boys · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:26:59 PM »

Congrats, 1988 was the year I started BB too.... (I'm old)

What about Lou Ferrgino's comeback 92/93 do you have any pics ?

WOOOSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

el numero uno · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:30:20 PM »

Do getbiggers train for free in you gyms?

quadzilla456 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:36:23 PM »

Quote from: Tony Doherty on April 16, 2013, 08:19:36 PM

Here is a shot that I took at the Olympia that year. I will find a shot of when he got here. You are right he was in insane shape. Still eating tuna out of a can 3 weeks after the Olympia to give the fans good value.

Nice photo!

TigerStripes · « **Reply #10 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:37:37 PM »

Cool story bro

Tony Doherty · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:43:41 PM »

Quote from: BikiniSlut on April 16, 2013, 08:22:44 PM

Why don't you promote female bodybuilding? Be honest.

Because they don't work. No one wants to sponsor them and the fan base is tiny. The numbers on an amateur level have dwindled away to nothing. The rise of figure over the years and now bikini has proven to be incredibly popular. The other division, physique is more achievable and watchable.
Is that honest enough?

Tony Doherty · « **Reply #12 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:45:07 PM »

Quote from: el numero uno on April 16, 2013, 08:30:20 PM

Do getbiggers train for free in you gyms?

Sometimes they do. I have had a few drop in over the years and introduce themselves, free workout and sometimes a shirt.

el numero uno · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:46:15 PM »

Quote from: Tony Doherty on April 16, 2013, 08:45:07 PM

Sometimes they do. I have had a few drop in over the years and introduce themselves, free workout and sometimes a shirt.

Cool

any posedown between them and you bro?

Tony Doherty · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2013, 08:53:42 PM »

Quote from: Pet shop boys on April 16, 2013, 08:26:59 PM

Congrats, 1988 was the year I started BB too.... (I'm old)

What about Lou Ferrgino's comeback 92/93 do you have any pics ?

WOOOSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

I had Louie here about 10 weeks before his comeback show. He guest posed at 330lb, which was 70lb heavier than when he did Pumping Iron 17 years earlier.
He was without doubt the biggest guest poser we have ever had. We had 3 generations of fans came out to see him that weekend.

I then flew to Finland for the Mr O and took some great shots of him there. (Will find more and post them up.)

Attached,

1. Me interviewing Louie onstage back then. It was an incredible interview and something I will never forget.
2. A pic of a pic in my gym of Louie in his comeback Olympia.
3. Me interviewing Louie for Flexonline at last years Olympia.

haider · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2013, 09:01:49 PM »

Quote from: Tony Doherty on April 16, 2013, 08:43:41 PM

Because they don't work. No one wants to sponsor them and the fan base is tiny. The numbers on an amateur level have dwindled away to nothing. The rise of figure over the years and now bikini has proven to be incredibly popular. The other division, physique is more achievable and watchable.
Is that honest enough?

Should completely do away with that abomination. Thanks for being part of the solution.

The_Iron_Disciple · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2013, 10:00:23 PM »

I don't post on GetBig much these days, however, I felt the need to give respect where respect is WITHOUT A DOUBT due.

Congrats to you, Tony. Have ALWAYS been a very big fan of your shows. And have loved ( and do love ) the many things you post here on GetBig. You are a great contributer to not only this forum, but to bodybuilding as a whole as well. Thank you.

Tony Doherty · « **Reply #17 on:** April 16, 2013, 10:11:37 PM »

Here are a few random ones from 10 or more years ago.

old-school-lifter · « **Reply #18 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:18:48 PM »

congrats Tony on 25 years!

youre looking pretty jacked in that pic of you with the sleeveless shirt!

who were your top 5 favorite pro's - in terms of entertainment/seminar/overall value for the fans-that you brought to australia?

musclecenter · « **Reply #19 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:21:09 PM »

true great legend !

BDsauce · « **Reply #20 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:25:21 PM »

Do you know booty?

sync pulse · « **Reply #21 on:** April 16, 2013, 11:54:54 PM »

Are you related to Vinnie Jones?

galain · « **Reply #22 on:** April 17, 2013, 12:25:38 AM »

Quote from: old-school-lifter on April 16, 2013, 11:18:48 PM

congrats Tony on 25 years!

who were your top 5 favorite pro's - in terms of entertainment/seminar/overall value for the fans-that you brought to australia?

Another one for this question. And another 'congratulations' from an ex Melbourne boy.

FitnessFrenzy · « **Reply #23 on:** April 17, 2013, 12:57:59 AM »

very cool photos, Tony.

Radical Plato · « **Reply #24 on:** April 17, 2013, 01:40:07 AM »

Quote from: Tony Doherty on April 16, 2013, 07:32:03 PM

25 years ago (1988) I promoted my first IFBB amateur show. Brian Buchanan was the guest poser. Since then I have brought just about ever pro to Australia and have promoted the Australian Pro for the last 13 years. Have had every Mr Olympia here since Haney and promoted around 100 contests. There have been plenty of highs and lows but overall it has been a great trip. Paul Graham gave me a chance when I was only 23, so thanks to him for believing in me all that time ago.

Thought I would start this thread and put up a few pics you may have never seen from along the way. Happy to answer any questions and maybe tell a few stories.

Thanks to all of the athletes, fans and sponsors that have supported. Getbig has been a huge part of it over the years, I have been here since Ron stated it at American bodybuilding. Have met a lot of you from here over the years, so thanks to Ron and Getbig.

TD

Congratulations Tony, my brother and his mate went to see Brian Buchanan at a seminar when he came out. All I remember is they said it was good day, but wished he talked more about the drugs. Can't please everyone I suppose.