Read in the last few days as well Tim that Ken "fixed" the 78 America for Tony Pearson to beat Ron Teufel,i`ll copy Kens own words for you.
[I know it's not PC, but a personal anecdote from that time coincides w/ your POV that a contestant could be "up against it."] I had interacted w/ Ron during his training at Gold's---my impression was that he was as dumb as a post w/ an affect that would harm rather than help the promotion of bodybuilding to the general public---my primary goal.
Jumping forward, you can imagine my nervousness at the '78 America---I had made arrangements before the show to fly the winner to NY for an appearance on Good Morning America. I knew that Tony and Manny would do a good job---and also felt that Ron would be a disaster; it was based on my interpretation of public appeal and the image of bodybuilders at the time. [If someone still has it on file, please post the link to that GMA interview.]
[This is an anecdote of one promoter's MO on building the growth of bodybuilding: Ron might has been the next Einstein for all I know---but sincerely doubt.]
