Butterbean made two Jake Paul claims – Mike Tyson combat might solely dismiss one

Jake Paul has developed a habit of proving people wrong, with American boxing icon Butterbean the latest on his hit list.

The 57-year-old former World Super Heavyweight champion, whose real name is Eric Esch, admitted back in August that he’d love the opportunity to go head-to-head with Paul. However, he claimed the Problem Child, 27, would be “too smart” to step into the ring with a puncher as powerful as him.

“I would love to fight Jake Paul but he’s too smart to fight me,” Butterbean revealed to Chris Van Vliet on his podcast. “I’m not saying he’s a coward or anything like that but I would destroy him. I hit way too hard for him.”

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But Butterbean was proven wrong a few months later when Paul announced he’d be facing ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson who, in his pomp, was arguably the heaviest hitter in boxing.

The duo were initially set to clash on July 20 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but the bout has now been rescheduled for November 15. The fight was delayed following advice from Tyson’s medical team after it emerged the former heavyweight champion was battling a significant ulcer issue.

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Butterbean didn’t get it all wrong, however. The legendary knockout artist lauded Paul as a very intelligent businessman, pointing to the fact that almost all of his fights have generated huge amounts of cash for both him and his opponent.

That said, Butterbean criticised Paul for mostly fighting “ex-MMA guys” and insisted he’d be up for a scrap if the opportunity ever presented itself.

“He’s smart [because he’s making lots of money], but what bugs me is he’s fighting ex-MMA guys,” the Atlanta-born fighter said. “I heard him say, ‘I’m not like Butterbean, I’m not a joke’. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to fight him.”

Paul has nine wins from 10 professional fights, though just three of his opponents have been career boxers. One of them, Tommy Fury, became the first person to beat Paul following his split decision win back in February 2023.

Tyson, who is set to turn 58 later this month, hasn’t fought since his exhibition match with Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, and his last professional bout dates back to 2005. However, if his training videos are anything to go by, the Baddest Man on the Planet still packs a powerful punch.

Meanwhile, Butterbean, who is history in boxing, MMA and WWE, racked up an impressive 77 victories from 91 fights throughout his iconic career, with 58 ending in knockouts. He hasn’t boxed professionally since 2013, and his last victory was recorded in 2007.