Bob Cicherillo Fuels Rumor of Derek Lunsford Entering Pittsburgh Pro, Claims Nick Walker Can’t Top Him at ‘100%’
‘The Voice of Bodybuilding’ backs Lunsford’s chances at the Pittsburgh Pro should he decide to step on stage this May.
The 2025 Pittsburgh Pro Men’s Open division could be even more competitive than previously anticipated. On March 19, 2025, veteran bodybuilding commentator Bob Cicherillo ignited speculation by sharing rumors that reigning Arnold Classic champion Derek Lunsford will compete in Pittsburgh. He went a step further, asserting that in a head-to-head showdown at peak condition, Lunsford would emerge victorious over Nick Walker.
Nick Walker, eager to reclaim his dominance, is on a redemption arc after withdrawing from the past two Mr. Olympia contests. Now under the guidance of new head coach Kyle Wilkes, ‘The Mutant’ is laser-focused on securing his Olympia qualification for the highly anticipated showdown in Las Vegas from October 9-12.
With Pittsburgh’s lineup already stacked, Walker is set to battle against elite contenders like Michal Krizanek, Martin Fitzwater, Vitaliy ‘Good Vito’ Ugolnikov, and James Hollingshead. Now, the possible addition of Lunsford adds another layer of intrigue, setting the stage for an all-out war of aesthetics, mass, and conditioning.
Bob Cicherillo Sparks Speculation on Lunsford’s Pittsburgh Entry, Asserts Nick Walker Can’t Outmuscle Him at 100%
In a recent YouTube discussion, bodybuilding insider Bob Cicherillo claimed there’s strong buzz about Lunsford stepping onto the Pittsburgh Pro stage.
“Here’s the biggest name—again, this is just a rumor. I do not have it confirmed, but I’m hearing a whole lot of chatter out there that Derek Lunsford himself is throwing his hat into Pittsburgh, and that’s going to ruffle a whole bunch of feathers.”
Shawn Ray weighed in, praising Lunsford’s impressive victory over Samson Dauda at the Arnold Classic. However, he cautioned that no competitor is untouchable, suggesting Lunsford could suffer the same fate if he underestimates his opponents in Pittsburgh.
“Samson, he just got bit by Derek. He thought he was going to walk into that show and walk off with that $500,000 as the reigning Mr. Olympia—it didn’t happen. Derek rained on his parade. The same thing can happen to Derek. He’s not invincible.”
Cicherillo doubled down, arguing that if both Walker and Lunsford show up at 100%, there’s ‘no likelihood’ that Walker could take him down.
“Listen, if Nick Walker beats Derek—and I don’t know, we always got to give percentages, right? Assuming that they are both 100%, there’s no likelihood that he could beat Derek because Derek is a former Olympia champ and reigning Arnold Classic champ.”
“Derek would be the odds-on favorite if he enters one or both [Pittsburgh and New York],” he added.
Meanwhile, respected bodybuilding judge Terrick El Guindy expressed optimism about Walker’s potential in Pittsburgh.
“I have a little bit more of an optimistic approach to Nick Walker based on his history. The young man has won the New York Pro twice. That’s a fact. The young man is a North American champion, that’s a fact. The young man has won the Arnold Classic, that’s a fact,” he explained.
El Guindy acknowledged Walker’s lack of traditional aesthetics but emphasized that his physique remains a formidable force on stage.
“Nick Walker is the first one to tell people, ‘Hey listen, my specialty has never been my lines. I’ll be the first one to say that my lines—I’m not Samson Dauda or Flex Wheeler or Shawn Ray—but he has beaten plenty of guys with beautiful lines in these shows. He has defeated Samson Dauda previously and has placed third at the Mr. Olympia.”
He highlighted Walker’s side poses as his key to success.
“When that young man hits a few poses, especially side chest and side triceps—where you don’t see as much of the waist—he is very, very impressive. And that’s his winning formula.”
With the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro scheduled for May 10-11, this edition marks history as the first to feature a Men’s Open competition. The stakes are high, with the champion securing a $100,000 prize purse. If past trends hold, the Pittsburgh Pro winner will gain invaluable momentum leading into the ultimate battleground—the Mr. Olympia showdown later this year.
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
