Larry Wheels isn't leaving room for speculation this time. For him, a bodybuilding comeback is off the table.

"I don't have any intention to do bodybuilding," Wheels said, addressing his latest setback head-on after suffering a torn bicep during his boxing match against Vitaly at Brand Risk 15 in Miami on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The injury cut the fight short. Wheels had already scored a knockdown before the tear forced the bout to end, and it was ultimately ruled a no contest.

The timing of Wheels' comments, as published by Generation Iron, carries weight given what he's already accomplished. He earned his IFBB Pro card in Classic Physique back in 2023, adding bodybuilding to a résumé that already included elite powerlifting numbers and appearances in strongman and arm wrestling.

Despite that pedigree, his competitive interests have clearly drifted elsewhere. The Vitaly fight was another step outside traditional strength sports, and even though it ended prematurely, it reinforces where Wheels' focus currently sits.

For now, getting healthy again is clearly the priority, not chasing another bodybuilding prep. Wheels has built a reputation for bouncing back from serious injuries before, having done it with his other bicep years ago, and appears ready to take the same patient approach this time around.

Whether this truly closes the door on a bodybuilding return for good remains to be seen, but Wheels' comments make clear it's not something he's currently chasing. His attention, at least for the immediate future, is on recovery and whatever competitive venture comes next, wherever that ends up being.

Larry Wheels Bicep Injury History

This isn't new territory for Wheels. He tore his left bicep back in 2019 while training for a competition and chose to let it heal naturally rather than go under the knife.

Looking back on that injury later, Wheels revealed the tendon had actually torn away from the muscle entirely, and a specialist initially told him reattachment wasn't possible. He later learned surgery had actually been an option, and admitted in hindsight he should have gotten a second opinion. 

In a post-fight interview, Wheels revealed he may skip surgery entirely, leaning on a recovery approach he's used before. Showing off the injury on camera, he joked about the symmetry it created with his other arm.

"Now it matches my left bicep. So now they're symmetrical," Wheels said.

Do you think Wheels should have pursued surgery this time given his injury history? 

Written by

Zaid Quraishi

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi