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Lou Ferrigno is an IFBB pro wrestler who is often regarded as one of the best. Although he did not win the Olympia, the winner of two consecutive Mr. Universe titles holder has enough fan following to create a ripple at a stone’s throw. While no one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes, the bodybuilding icon is no exception.

In one such instance, people recently smashed the bodybuilder on social media as an old video of Lou on stage with Flavio Baccianini resurfaced. Ferrigno is seen standing beside Baccianini, and the former’s behavior can be called borderline questionable. Fans have presented their varying opinions on the incident in the comments of a recent Instagram post. 

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Enraged fans bash Ferrigno

In the short video posted by gloryoldschool on Instagram, both athletes are showing off their perfectly carved physiques. While the Olympia Masters 1993 title went to Dorian Yates, Flavio and ‘The Hulk’ Ferrigno’s little interaction turned a few heads. The 6 feet 5 inches tall Ferrigno looked like a giant beside the 4 feet 10 inches tall Flavio. 

What seemed like a rather amusing sight for the late-90s TV audience is relatively objectionable for contemporary bodybuilding fans. In the video, Ferrigno taps his shorter competitor’s head for a second or two.

Fans of the sport consider this a sign of disrespect for the 55-year-old Baccianini. Some of them lashed out, stating, ”Very disrespectful patting someone’s head like that.” While another user added, “Being short, you are subject to mocking and ridicule. Look at his definition and symmetry. Nonetheless, mocked by Ferrigno.”

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While Ferrigno was probably being a jester for the paparazzi, there is no denying that this behavior would not have been received in a positive light even if it happened today. “l think it was impolite to insult someone shorter than him and Flavio is more shredded l think though,” wrote one fan. “Back then people were not as sensitive,” resonated another.

The shortest ever Mr. Olympia

Flavio Baccianini never secured the mantle, but he did manage to turn quite a few heads in the bodybuilding business. He is the shortest ever to compete for the title of Mr. Olympia. The pro-bodybuilder received a lot of praise from fans in the recent video.

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via Getty

“If Flav was taller he’d look better than Lou. And I like Lou,” one of them stated. Another fan wrote, “Flavio, taught me everything I know about the Iron. Always be grateful for him.”

In his bodybuilding career, Flavio has seen numerous highs and lows. At one point, he even stated in an interview that bodybuilding is a time-wasting endeavor. There was nothing he could do about his height, and the chances for success were slim.

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Yet, there were few who could contest Flavio’s muscle definition. His ripped body was a sight to behold for fans of the sport. One of them concludes, “Flavio is shredded out of his gourd, perhaps even diced to the socks, sliced to the gills one might say.