Victor Martinez’s Verdict: Was The Larry Wheels Slap Real Or Fake? | GI Podcast

Victor Martinez weighs in on the viral video of Larry Wheels slapping boxer Deen The Great

In the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, Victor Martinez covered a wide range of topics including – responding to fan criticism, reacting to Larry Wheels’ viral slap moment, and addressing whether or not bodybuilding influencers will replace competitive bodybuilding in terms of popularity.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the episode’s topics:

• Fans criticize Victor Martinez defending Bad Bunny
• Was the Larry Wheels slap real or fake?
• Victor answers: can influencers replace pro bodybuilders?
• Victor’s thoughts on ai and how it could potentially affect the sport of bodybuilding and judging
• Revisiting Victor’s comments on Hadi Choopan as controversy continues to rise around the situation

As always, Victor didn’t hold back. You can watch the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Here’s a full recap of the episode’s biggest moments and what they mean for bodybuilding fans.

Fan Feedback: Addressing the Critics

The episode opened with Victor Martinez responding to a fan who criticized him for defending Bad Bunny and Puerto Rico.

The fan wrote that Puerto Rico is “lame,” claiming it has no NFL team, no college football, doesn’t manufacture cars, doesn’t put rockets into space, and doesn’t have a military capable of defending its own island.

Victor immediately reacted with visible frustration. Simply stating, “Boy, you need to chill,” he said.

Victor Martinez explained that insulting Puerto Rico means insulting many of his friends and countless legends who come from the island. He reminded listeners that Puerto Rico has produced iconic figures across sports and entertainment.

He pointed to Roberto Clemente as a legendary baseball player whose impact goes far beyond statistics. Clemente is remembered not just for his talent but for his humanitarian work.

Victor also mentioned Tito Puente, whose influence on Latin music is undeniable. Even if Puente wasn’t born directly in Puerto Rico, his identity and legacy are deeply tied to it.

Then Victor referenced Bad Bunny, adding a wink and a nod since the global superstar is currently a controversial figure among certain political groups in the United States.

Victor didn’t stop there. He went after the commenter personally, suggesting he was likely someone living in his mother’s basement with little real-world experience. He encouraged the individual to actually visit Puerto Rico. As Victor pointed out, Americans don’t even need a passport to go. His message was simple: go see the culture, meet the people, and understand what makes the island special before criticizing it.

Miami Called “UnAmerican”

Another pair of comments targeted Miami. One fan said “Miami is unAmerican.” Another joked, “Miami gave birth to Riley Reid.”

Victor responded with humor first. “I dunno, should I even take my time to sit here and defend Miami?” he said.

He explained that he has many friends in Miami and doesn’t feel the need to defend whether a U.S. state is “American.” All states are part of the United States. That’s not up for debate.

He made it clear that every state has its pros and cons. Arguing about whether one is “American enough” is a waste of time.

Then he added a joke. Florida might be the most American state of all, he said, because it has no personal income tax. And what’s more American than not wanting to pay taxes?

The Larry Wheels Slap: Real or Fake?

One of the biggest topics of the episode was the viral moment where Larry Wheels slapped influencer-turned-boxer Deen The Great during a live stream with Rampage Jackson present. The confrontation sparked debate online. Was it real? Or was it staged for views?

Victor Martinez broke it down logically. Deen The Great is an influencer who transitioned into boxing. He understands viral moments. Creating controversy can drive engagement.

Victor said there are two possibilities. Either Larry allowed the situation to escalate until Deen crossed a line by making a comment about Larry’s wife, causing him to snap. Or the entire thing was staged.

Victor found it hard to believe that Larry would let it reach that point without reacting sooner. He also found it surprising that Deen, as a trained boxer, didn’t respond physically after being slapped.

Those factors combined made Victor lean toward thinking the situation was fake. In today’s influencer world, shock value equals clicks. And clicks equal money.

Can Influencers Replace Pro Bodybuilders?

Another major discussion centered on whether influencers could replace professional bodybuilders and whether IFBB prestige still matters.

Victor Martinez’s stance was clear. Winning top bodybuilding competitions requires a master-level physique. The discipline, structure, and judging criteria separate professional bodybuilding from social media popularity. Prestige matters.

While influencers can build massive followings, that kind of popularity is different from earning respect on a competitive stage. To win elite contests, athletes must meet strict standards. That level of achievement brings credibility that followers alone cannot replace.

Victor acknowledged that more bodybuilding and strength influencers will continue to emerge. Social media isn’t going anywhere. But he does not believe influencer culture will replace the prestige of professional bodybuilding or the importance of IFBB titles.

In his view, the two worlds can coexist. And often, the most successful bodybuilders eventually build strong social media followings anyway.

Could AI Ever Judge Bodybuilding?

With artificial intelligence growing in every industry, the hosts asked whether AI or data could ever judge bodybuilding competitions. Victor Martinez doesn’t think so.

Bodybuilding is too subjective. Yes, there are criteria. Judges look at symmetry, conditioning, size, and presentation. But there is still a human element that cannot be fully removed.

Different judges may value certain aspects differently. Stage presence, flow between poses, and overall impression matter. These are not easily reduced to pure data points.

Victor said AI might help with organizing scores or making processes more efficient. But replacing human judges entirely? He doesn’t see that happening.

At the end of the day, bodybuilding is about how physiques look to the human eye on stage. That human perception is central to the sport.

Doritos Protein Chips: Smart or Gimmick?

The podcast also touched on a recent food trend: Doritos announcing protein chips. Victor Martinez wasn’t impressed.

His position was straightforward. Processed foods are generally bad for you. Adding protein doesn’t magically make them healthy. If someone is serious about building muscle and staying healthy, there are better options. He suggested real foods like rotisserie chicken, steak, or even a burger as more satisfying and nutritionally sound choices.

Victor also questioned the math. How much protein could realistically fit in a small bag of chips? To get a meaningful amount, you’d likely have to eat so many chips that the calories, sodium, and additives would outweigh the benefits.

In his view, protein chips fall into the category of marketing gimmicks. They sound fitness-friendly but don’t align with a clean diet.

Victor Martinez Revisits Hadi Choopan Controversy

The final major topic was the ongoing controversy surrounding Hadi Choopan.

Victor Martinez acknowledged that this may be the first time in pro bodybuilding history where such a serious political situation directly intersects with the sport, especially involving a Mr. Olympia-level competitor.

Victor reiterated his previous stance. He recognizes that people are suffering and that mass violence is occurring globally. However, he does not believe that Hadi Choopan’s silence automatically equals support for what is happening.

Victor suggested that Choopan may be staying quiet to protect himself and his family from possible retaliation. In politically sensitive environments, speaking out can have serious consequences.

As a fellow bodybuilder, Victor sympathized with Choopan’s position. Traditionally, bodybuilders focus on training, competition, and their physiques. They are not politicians.

Still, Victor made it clear that this is a sensitive topic and that his opinion is just that, an opinion. He expressed hope for unity rather than hate and emphasized that attention should be directed toward those committing atrocities rather than individuals caught in complicated circumstances.

Wrap Up

This episode of the Generation Iron Podcast showed exactly why fans tune in. Victor Martinez brings honesty, emotion, and real-world perspective to every discussion.

From defending Puerto Rico and Miami to questioning influencer drama, from protecting the prestige of pro bodybuilding to rejecting protein junk food trends, Victor stayed consistent. He values authenticity, discipline, and real accomplishment.

The episode balanced humor with serious topics. It also reinforced the importance of fan engagement. Whether praising or criticizing, fans are part of the conversation.

As bodybuilding continues to evolve alongside influencer culture, AI technology, and global politics, the Generation Iron Podcast remains a space where these issues are debated openly. And if there’s one thing this episode proved, it’s that Victor Martinez is never afraid to speak his mind.