The war of words between Bob Cicherillo and Nick Walker is really heating up. Cicherillo is a former Mr. USA, NOC runner-up, and 2006 Masters World champion. He also holds the confusing title of IFBB Pro League Athlete’s Rep. It’s a non-paid, honorary position that has little to no influence, and even less power to boot. Very few athletes believe that Cicherillo advocates on their behalf during high-level meetings in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is the hub of the IFBB Pro League, the professional organization, that Bob purportedly works for in this capacity. But why make such a big deal out of this largely empty position? Well, that falls on Bob’s course of dealings in the industry. He will often include the job title, while marketing himself as the alleged “Voice Of Bodybuilding” and as a much sought-after emcee at contests. Some believe Cicherillo has a seriously inflated ego and often makes no bones about sharing his biases and favoritism on the various podcasts and web series he’s a part of. This is what rubs so many pro competitors the wrong way.
The feud started because Bob didn’t think much of Nick Walker’s chances of doing well at the highly-competitive 2025 Arnold Classic. When word of that got out, Walker got tremendously butthurt and fired shots at Bob, suggesting that he’s no longer relevant and that few even know who he is.
To a guy like Bob who took forever to turn pro (13 years) and was denied two key pro wins, those are fighting words. And even though a contest was basically created for Bob to win, very few people think much of his 2006 Masters World win. He allegedly bested top guys like Masters Mr. Olympia Claude Groulx, Rusty Jeffers (known for his phenomenal aesthetics), and Mr. Hungary Pavol Jablonicky (who many believe would have won the content sans any politics). Nonetheless, Bob got the win, and has never competed again since.
Interestingly, Nick Walker claims to be all about positivity and being indifferent to the nonsense in bodybuilding, but his actions say otherwise. Walker is extremely sensitive when it comes to anything he objects to. For example, he blocked me because I took his then-coach and then-sponsor to task over what I thought to be the wrongful termination of 212 Mr. Olympia Shaun Clarida. I wasn’t even talking about Nick, but yet he blocked me. And that’s because the one and only time I’ve met him, he told me to be positive (or else). Walker is definitely not all there, but then again neither is Bob. Because Bob can’t let shit go. In his most recent clapback, the Athlete’s Rep said he would be the guy giving Nick Walker his 8th place trophy at the 2025 Mr. Olympia – not exactly very becoming of a guy who purports to champion the interests of pro athletes.
Ironically, it’s said that Bob and Nick are friends. That term is very ambiguous. Friends, meaning what exactly? Are they buddies – or – are they merely acquaintances in the sport? If it’s the former, then could this feud could be staged? If it’s the latter, then so what? Why even mention it? It’s almost an irrelevant point to make. That said, feuds usually fizzle out on their own, especially when they’re between what many could consider to be a couple of has-beens.
Sorry, not sorry.
