Toronto, Southwest Pro Events Cancelled

Reported May 6, 2003

Toronto, Southwest Pro Events Cancelled

With the SARS epidemic spreading throughout China, and other parts of the world, the Toronto Pro Invitational, set for May 24, has been cancelled, according to Wayne DeMilia, IFBB Pro Division Chairman.

"After Elton John called off his show recently in Toronto, Ticketmaster called up everyone who was promoting events and told them to call them off. They called Winston Roberts (Promoter of Toronto show) and told him to cancel. To be honest, no judges wanted to go at this point, and most of the athletes were very concerned."

DeMilia said Roberts was looking into rescheduling the show for September, but said, "The chances of that happening don’t look good. It’s not easy getting a venue in that short a time period."

Another competition, the Southwest Pro, set for September 26-27 in Arlington, Texas, has also been cancelled, DeMilia confirmed. The inaugural show was held last May, with Darrem Charles capturing his first pro win. Promoter Ed Pariso says he hopes to bring the show back in 2004.

TEPER’S TALES: Tom Prince, scheduled to compete in DeMilia’s Night of Champions on May 31 in New York, has pulled out of the show, citing medical reasons. Recent hospital tests revealed that Prince has bleeding ulcers and kidney damage…Mike Matarazzo, also set to flex in New York at the end of May, is skipping the show because of excessive guest posing demands. Matarazzo was aiming to requalify for the Mr. Olympia at the Southwest Pro, but now that’s a no-go, as well…two top pro’s setback by torn thighs—Jean Pierre-Fux and Milos Sarcev– are making their comebacks at the NOC…Idrise Ward-El and Toney Freeman, who earned cards with Overall victories at the 02 NPC USA and Nationals, respectively, are making their pro debuts at the NOC, where DeMilia expects a line-up of 40 contenders…top NPC Superheavyweight contender Mat Duvall escaped grave injury on May 1 when his car flipped over and his left arm was dragged on the asphalt when the driver’s side glass broke. Duvall, who moved back home to Virginia after a short stay in ’Vegas, suffered two severed arteries, and damage was done to the surface skin. But, but a cosmetic surgeon was able to fix the artery damage and Mat says he’ll be ripped and ready for the 2003 Nationals in Miami Beach…Chris Cormier, who allegedly purchased a new home and restaurant in Las Vegas, is reportedly back in Los Angeles these days…Flex Wheeler has written a tell-all book, "Flex Ability: A Story of Strength and Survival", which can be purchased on Amazon.com. The manuscript has been billed as "never before told secrets about his current health struggles and filled with juicy behind-the-scenes look at his life." Wheeler has been in and out of the hospital in recent times with on going kidney tribulations.