Shawn Ray is back to assess the Open Bodybuilding lineup slated to battle at the 2025 Arnold Classic. On January 14, 2025, Ray laid out how Derek Lunsford could defeat Samson Dauda. In addition, he highlighted a few contenders he expects to shine on stage.
In 2024, Samson Dauda was unable to prevail at the Arnold Classic; as a result, he surrendered his title to Hadi Choopan. However, when the stakes were at their absolute highest, Dauda brought the perfect combination of mass and detail to claim his maiden Sandow trophy.
Derek Lunsford is another favorite fans are watching closely ahead of the event. He lost his title at the last Mr. Olympia after presenting a flat lower body, which affected the balance of his physique. In addition to his bid for redemption, the lineup will pit several top-tier bodybuilders against each other, including Andrew Jacked, Brandon Curry, Akim Williams, William Bonac, and Carlos Thomas Jr.
Shawn Ray Says Derek Lunsford ‘Doing Everything to the Extreme’ for 2025 Arnold Classic: “Samson Has To Be Very Careful”
In a recent YouTube video, Shawn Ray emphasized that Lunsford is more than capable of defeating Samson Dauda, which is something he’s already achieved in the past. Moreover, Ray contends that Lunsford doesn’t need to ‘reinvent the wheel’ to beat ‘The Nigerian Lion.’
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“If Derek Lunsford wins the Arnold Classic and he beats Samson, someone that he’s already beaten before, are we going to be surprised? He’s got all the capabilities of beating Samson.
Does he need to reinvent the wheel to do it? I don’t think so. Are we going to sit here and give all the credit to a guru that’s brought in last-minute, or are we going to credit the athlete, who has had to pivot and adjust and do some things differently because he tasted defeat? Derek Lunsford is capable of winning.”
Ray isn’t dismissing Jacked’s chances of success. With Lunsford’s sudden coaching change, Ray suggested that ‘this opens the door’ for Jacked.
“You’re still dealing with a battle. In this lineup, there’s two guys, Andrew Jacked, for as good as he is, I don’t know that he’s going to be number one or number two.
However, if ever thought about sneaking into number one or number two, this opens the door because Derek has created an X-factor that there is no guarantee that this is actually going to work.”
He believes Lunsford is taking an extreme approach to win the title at the 2025 Arnold Classic.
“He’s doing everything to the extreme right now to be successful at the Arnold Classic,” adds Ray. “If he wins, I’m going to attribute it to him hunkering down.”
Ray warned that if Dauda adds too much size and lacks detail, this could lead to Lunsford pulling off the win. As for Carlos Thomas Jr, Ray said he has the size but has yet to showcase elite conditioning levels.
“Derek is going to bring the detail and even Samson has to be very careful of coming in too big because the darker skin absorbs that light and can make you look kind of smooth. I think the kid [Carlos Thomas Jr.] needs to be a little more ripped, right? So, he has got all the muscle in the world, but the challenge is on him to come in shredded.”
He believes the Arnold Classic lighting can water down athletes’ conditioning, so he advised Thomas Jr. to be mindful of that.
“He’s B-I-G man, he’s big! Like I said Victor Richards, Akim Williams. He’s got all the muscle in the world,” says Ray. “Bertil Fox-style muscle, but again, when you get under those bright lights of the Arnold Classic, which are not made for photography they are more made for television, that big roundness, that big fullness, it gets watered down.”
There’s been plenty of talk surrounding frontrunners headed to the Arnold Classic. Akim Williams has already discussed his intentions and he plans to earn a top-three position when all is said and done. In his last Arnold Classic outing in 2024, Williams bounced back after a rocky start before taking sixth place in the finals.
The anticipation around the 2025 Arnold Classic continues to build. Don’t miss Fitness Volt’s live and comprehensive coverage of the historic bodybuilding weekend, set for February 27 to March 2!
RELATED: Samson Dauda Sends Warning Shot With Beastly Physique Update 7 Weeks from 2025 Arnold Classic
Watch the full video from the Voice of Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:
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