Shawn Ray is better than Dexter Jackson

[Wiggs]

Dexter won an Olympia, multiple Arnold Classics and won every title in bodybuilding. He has never placed higher in a bodybuilding contest than Shawn Ray when going head to head. Olympia 99, 00 and 01. Ray placed 5, 4 and 4. Dexter placed 9, 9 and 8th.  It wasn't until 2002 that Dexter broke top 6 and placed 4th.  Where was Shawn?  Retired. 

Not only has Shawn placed higher head to head, it's for good reason, his physique is just better.  It's more complete and aesthetically pleasing.  To me Dexter and Shawn are like Ronnie and Flex...except in Shawn's case, he placed higher.

Take the best Dexter and the best Shawn and I'll go with the best Shawn any day.

[Dave D]

Dexter beats Shawn today.

Dexter beats Flex today.

Dexter beats Jay today.

Dexter beats Ronnie today.

Dexter beats Dorian today.

[Wiggs]

I'm not too sure how he beats them today?  They'd have to compete and they're not competing...so....

[Dave D]

I'm not too sure how he beats them today?  They'd have to compete and they're not competing...so....

Yeah but you're comparing Dexter and Shawn's physique when they competed to Dexter after Shawn retired.

Dex and still top 10 in the sport. He's legitimately and competitively bodybuilding longer than any of the 90s pros. Winning an Olympia puts him in an elite level.

Did Shawn (or Flex and Kevin) have a better peak physique than peak physique Dexter?  Almost certainly he did.

But the records and results say Dexter is the better bodybuilder.

[Wiggs]

Yeah but you're comparing Dexter and Shawn's physique when they competed to Dexter after Shawn retired.

Dex and still top 10 in the sport. He's legitimately and competitively bodybuilding longer than any of the 90s pros. Winning an Olympia puts him in an elite level.

Did Shawn (or Flex and Kevin) have a better peak physique than peak physique Dexter?  Almost certainly he did.

But the records and results say Dexter is the better bodybuilder.

That's all I wanted you to admit was that at their peaks, Shawn had a better physique. It me it's obvious and I've always thought this. Dexter is good but he was able to take advantage of an era was not very good compared to the one he came in.

[Royalty]

Shawn Ray was able to turn pro at age 21, and by age 25 he was top 3 at the Mr Olympia.


Dexter did not have the genetics to replicate Shawn’s rapid ascent.

[Dave D]

That's all I wanted you to admit was that at their peaks, Shawn had a better physique. It me it's obvious and I've always thought this. Dexter is good but he was able to take advantage of an era was not very good compared to the one he came in.

Agreed.

Its like Phil (or Rhoden) he is the best of his era but he would have only been a top competitor in the 90s.

[Humble Narcissist]

Shawn seemed to always seem like he was holding water and just not quite dialed in but he had awesome genetics to be a pro so young.

[Coach is Back!]

Dexter won an Olympia, multiple Arnold Classics and won every title in bodybuilding. He has never placed higher in a bodybuilding contest than Shawn Ray when going head to head. Olympia 99, 00 and 01. Ray placed 5, 4 and 4. Dexter placed 9, 9 and 8th.  It wasn't until 2002 that Dexter broke top 6 and placed 4th.  Where was Shawn?  Retired. 

Not only has Shawn placed higher head to head, it's for good reason, his physique is just better.  It's more complete and aesthetically pleasing.  To me Dexter and Shawn are like Ronnie and Flex...except in Shawn's case, he placed higher.

Take the best Dexter and the best Shawn and I'll go with the best Shawn any day.

Dexters won what? 29 shows more than anyone in the history of bodybuilding including his 2008 Olympia win. He’s beaten pretty much everyone in the industry more than once. Next to Ronnie being the greatest Mr. Olympia we’ll ever see, Dexter is BY FAR the best on the planet

[hipolito mejia]

Shawn should've been MrO when he was runner up to Dorian.

Yes Shawn is better bodybuilders then Dexter .

[illuminati]

Both great physiques
Each at their respective peak
Shawn’s Physique is that bit better
Though clearly dexter has won more

[ratherbebig]

i once went on a date and the girl asked me who i prefered, shawn or dexter

true story

[Titus Pullo]

Shawn seemed to always seem like he was holding water and just not quite dialed in but he had awesome genetics to be a pro so young.

?

With respect, I must disagree.  Shawn was crazy shredded and bone dry for many years.

[ratherbebig]

?

With respect, I must disagree.  Shawn was crazy shredded and bone dry for many years.

no need for respect, humble narcissist is something of a moron

[Wiggs]

Shawn Ray was shredded in 93, 94, 95, 96.

[Wiggs]

Dexters won what? 29 shows more than anyone in the history of bodybuilding including his 2008 Olympia win. He’s beaten pretty much everyone in the industry more than once. Next to Ronnie being the greatest Mr. Olympia we’ll ever see, Dexter is BY FAR the best on the planet

All this yet he lost head-to-head every time he went up against Shawn.

[Matt]

All this yet he lost head-to-head every time he went up against Shawn.

I think The_Coach_Is_Back! is trying to say that Dexter is the Gordie Howe of bodybuilding.

In that sense, I agree - I never understood Gordie Howe's legacy as a child. His points per game average seemed rather...average.

Only years later did I realize that Howe was doing what he did at 50 - literally competitive against guys under half his age. And THAT is an amazing achievement.

Dexter is probably the best bodybuilder in that sense - longevity.

I would agree with you that Shawn at his best was better. Pictures may not tell the whole story. But my intuition tells me Shawn would edge him out for the reasons you stated. I'm taking nothing away from Dexter there. Both are among the best ever.

[wes]

I gotta` go with my man Wiggs on this one.

I`m a huge Shawn Ray fan and I feel he was slighted quite often at the Mr. O when he competed.

[tres_taco_combo]

peaked shawn ray vs peaked dexter

my vote is for shawn

[honest]

I think Dexter has a better structure and overall shape, But Shawn Ray was more complete and had better conditioning. But couldn't pick it.

[che]

Shawn Ray   better physique
Dexter better bodybuilder.

[Earl1972]

2003 - 2015 dexter is much better than any version of dexter that shawn competed with

E

[Bevo]

Dexter won an Olympia, multiple Arnold Classics and won every title in bodybuilding. He has never placed higher in a bodybuilding contest than Shawn Ray when going head to head. Olympia 99, 00 and 01. Ray placed 5, 4 and 4. Dexter placed 9, 9 and 8th.  It wasn't until 2002 that Dexter broke top 6 and placed 4th.  Where was Shawn?  Retired. 

Not only has Shawn placed higher head to head, it's for good reason, his physique is just better.  It's more complete and aesthetically pleasing.  To me Dexter and Shawn are like Ronnie and Flex...except in Shawn's case, he placed higher.

Take the best Dexter and the best Shawn and I'll go with the best Shawn any day.

Physique wise and flow Shawn is superior, calves too

Bbing accomplishments dexter for sure, no contest

[Bevo]

Dexters won what? 29 shows more than anyone in the history of bodybuilding including his 2008 Olympia win. He’s beaten pretty much everyone in the industry more than once. Next to Ronnie being the greatest Mr. Olympia we’ll ever see, Dexter is BY FAR the best on the planet

Coming from a guy who thinks William Boner is better than prime Kevin Levrone

[chaos]

That's all I wanted you to admit was that at their peaks, Shawn had a better physique. It me it's obvious and I've always thought this. Dexter is good but he was able to take advantage of an era was not very good compared to the one he came in.

At their peaks? Sean retired at his peak and never won an Olympia, Dex obviously wasn't at his peak when competing against Sean, he went on to win an Olympia title.