The 2024 New York Pro is approaching and two champions from the Open class are set for a showdown. In a recent YouTube video, Dennis James and Milos Sarcev debated whether or not Tonio Burton could defeat Nick Walker on May 18.
It’s been an unusual season for ‘The Mutant,’ who was forced to pull out of the 2023 Olympia contest due to a devastating calf and hamstring tear. Having claimed the New York Pro title in 2021, Walker has envisioned himself as a two-time champion before stepping foot under the bright lights.
To ensure his spot on the sport’s biggest stage, Walker announced his 2024 New York Pro entry. Well-known for its prestige, the New York Pro will also see the reigning 2023 titleholder, Tonio Burton vie for gold. He recently finished second behind Rafael Brandao at the Arnold Classic South America show. With fans ready for another battle, bodybuilding veterans Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier discussed the favorites headed to New York.
Dennis James, Milos Sarcev Talk ‘Freaky Jacked’ Nick Walker vs Tonio Burton at 2024 New York Pro
According to Milos Sarcev, ‘it’s hard to imagine’ Tonio Burton defeating Walker when they square off in a few weeks.
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“It’s hard to imagine it. Let’s put it this way, it’s hard to image because that’s Nick Walker we are talking about. Nick is coming with a vengeance, he wants to win the Olympia, he is jacked right now. Tonio cannot beat him pose for pose, muscle for muscle on freaky size and all that shit.”
Even though it seems unlikely, Sarcev believes it’s possible Burton can win.
“He already said conditioning can be close or better, he has better shape, now he has to create the illusion and work on every pose analyzing Nick’s front double, Nick’s lat spread, Nick’s side chest, what are you going to do in the comparisons. I think, please do this in front of a mirror, tweak around some of your poses,” shares Milos Sarcev.
“Can he beat Nick? Yeah, it’s possible,” says Sarcev.
Agreeing with Milos Sarcev, Chris Cormier suggests that Burton could out-point Walker with a ‘peak performance.’
“I think it’s going to be tough at this show here but if he did have a shot to do it but it’s going to have to be his peak performance. All the things we talked about he should take very seriously. I don’t know how much he can change the fullness of his chest in this length of time but you’re going to have to totally finesse to have any shot at Nick Walker. Those lines have to be in head-to-toe. It could be done. I know that,” said Chris Cormier.
As for Dennis James, he argues it’s ‘almost impossible’ for Walker to lose in New York. He specified that Burton could only win if ‘Nick fucks up and comes in off.’
“I’m going to give my honest opinion, I think to beat Nick Walker at the New York Pro is going to be almost impossible.
I’ll explain to you why: I say almost impossible because the chance that you have is Nick fucks up and comes in off. That will be your only shot at this point in time. I’m saying this with all due respect because you have the shape.”
Although Dennis James credited Burton for his shape, he can’t ignore the conditioning levels and freaky body parts of Walker.
“Yeah, you have better shape but so does a lot of other people that can’t beat him. This is strictly because he has the condition and he has that sheer muscle, so he overpowers, if you would have been 260, his size… then you have a way better shot. Because he would still overpower you. This is what we always talk about. Sometimes, less symmetry, but granite condition and freaky body parts it’s just people like to see that.”
“That’s what I’m thinking, but here’s what I think is going to happen for you, it’s going to be closer than a lot of people think,” adds Dennis James.
Nick Walker has been open about his preparations ahead of his splash at the New York Pro. He incorporated a Dorian Yates-style training split where he routinely went to failure to stimulate muscle growth. From consistent cardio training to dietary changes, Walker is leaving no stone unturned in his bodybuilding journey.
Steve Weinberger’s 2024 New York Pro will take place on May 18. The winner will undoubtedly walk away with significant momentum months from the 2024 Mr. Olympia’s 60th anniversary.
RELATED: Nick Walker Shares His 3 Favorite Supplements, Says Legs Are Leaner 6 Weeks from 2024 New York Pro
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