Jay Cutler Throws His Hat Into IRONMAN Pro Ring

Reported January 13, 2003

Jay Cutler Throws His Hat Into IRONMAN Pro Ring
The star-studded IRONMAN Pro became even brighter over the weekend with the announcement by Jay Cutler that he will enter the IRONMAN Pro, set for February 15, 2003, at the Marsee Auditorium on the campus of El Camino Community College.

“I have so many fans in California that have not seen me compete in some time,” said Cutler by phone from his home in Summerlin, Nevada. “The Arnold Classic is far from California, so this will give the fans that will not be in Columbus, Ohio, and that have supported me throughout my career, the chance to see the best of Jay Cutler. This year’s shows are for the fans, starting at the IRONMAN, the Arnold Classic (March 1), the pro show in Italy (March 29) and on to the `Olympia and the European contests in October and November.”

Cutler stunned the bodybuilding world in 2001 when he nearly upset Ronnie Coleman at the Mr. Olympia is a hotly disputed decision. The 5’9”, 265-pounder followed up that performance with a unanimous victory over four-time Ironman victor Chris Cormier at the 2002 Arnold Classic. Local fans will get to see the duo go at it again at the IRONMAN Pro, two weeks before their return match at the ASC.

The addition of Cutler gives the John Balik/Michael Neveux production even more clout. Ernie Taylor, Ahmad Haidar and Quincy Taylor, the third, fourth and fifth place finishers, respectively, in ’02, say they will be back on stage, as will Melvin Anthony, who finished second Cormier in ’01.

Other top stars on the competitor’s list as of January 1, 2003, include Darrem Charles, J.D. Dawadu, Johnnie Jackson, Tommi (Glutezilla) Thorvildsen, Tevita Aholelei and Troy Alves, the ’02 USA Heavyweight champion.

(NOTE: Aaron Baker and Bruce Patterson just added to the list of competitors to hit the stage on February 15. For a list of all competitors in the mens competition, click here.)

A Most Muscular trophy, along with $1,000, is being donated by Robby Robinson and, for the first time, an NPC Women’s Figure Competition and Model Search will be held. The winner of the latter event gets a photo shoot with Neveux and will be featured in a future issue of IRONMAN. Entry forms for the Figure challenge can be downloaded here.

For ticket information, click here , or to order tickets by phone, call the Marsee Auditorium box office at 1-800-832-2787 or 310-329-5345.