Butterbean calls out Mike Tyson ‘scam’ and Jake Paul after £1.5m combat provide
Heavyweight icon Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch has come out swinging by branding the much-hyped matchup between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson “a scam.”
The boxing world has been abuzz over the prospect of a dust-up between 27-year-old YouTuber Paul and ex-heavyweight champion Tyson since the fight was first announced in March. The pair were set to square off on July 20 in what would have been the first boxing match streamed live on Netflix, but the showdown was shelved due to health issues on Tyson’s part.
The fight was postponed to November 15, but Tyson’s fitness and the general safety of the bout are still major concerns to many. One who isn’t worried in the slightest is combat legend Butterbean, who has claimed the pair have known from the start that there won’t be a match.
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“Him and Tyson are never gonna fight,” said 58-year-old Esch during a Q&A at Georgia Pop and Horror Con (via The Mirror). “That has been a scam from the very beginning just to boost Jake’s name – and it has!
“This guy, everybody’s talking about him. But he’s never gonna fight Tyson. They were never planning on fighting each other, because a promoter would never let him fight anyone else in between a fight. Never – not that big a fight. So, it’s been a scam from the beginning.”
The cult hero – who boasts a pro boxing record of 77-10-4 – recently threw down a £1.5million gauntlet to square off with Jake Paul in the squared circle. The ex-Disney star beefed up for his initial bout date with Tyson but slimmed down again to duke it out with ex-UFC brawler Mike Perry in July.
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(Image: Al Bello/Allsport via Getty Images)
‘The Problem Child’ breezed through the bare-knuckle champ by securing a sixth-round stoppage victory. Butterbean then lobbed his own seven-figure challenge to face Paul, though he’s still waiting to hear back on the proposal.
“Hey Jake Paul, would you fight me for $2m? Winner takes all,” said Esch on TikTok. The legendary bruiser notched 57 knockouts during his boxing career, and fans are buzzing over the thought of him stepping into a ring with Paul.
(Image: Instagram/JakePaul)
Tyson has been grafting hard in the gym and was posting regular workout vids as he geared up for the original July 20 showdown. However, there are worries about whether the boxing icon can endure eight two-minute rounds against an influencer-turned-pugilist like Paul.
It’s been nigh on 20 years since ‘Iron Mike’ stepped into the ring for a pro match, although he did go the distance in an eight-round exhibition with Roy Jones Jr in 2020. Butterbean’s ring hiatus is shorter, having retired in 2013, but he’s been shedding pounds and itching for one last rumble.
