If you’re not familiar with Butterbean, you’ve probably been living under a rock.
The 58-year-old behemoth made a name for himself in the ’90s and early 2000s in boxing, boasting an impressive record of 77 wins and just 10 losses. His once commanding physique drew attention to boxing – tipping the scales at around 515lbs at his heaviest – while his 58 career knockouts quenched the thirst of fight fans globally.
But boxing wasn’t Butterbean’s only gig throughout his career. The superstar – whose real name is Eric Esch – also tried his hand at kickboxing and mixed-martial arts before hanging up his gloves in 2013. And if you’ve never seen Esch duke it out in the ring, chances are you’ve caught his cameo in the first Jackass film – taking on Johnny Knoxville in a department store, leaving the MTV star knocked out and needing stitches.
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While the boxing titan has had plenty of career highlights, he’s also faced immense challenges since retiring from the sport. Here, The Daily Star delves into some of Butterbean’s darkest days, as well as his plans for a sporting comeback…
Weight gain in retirement
The last official fight for cult boxing figure Butterbean took place back in June 2013. He faced off against Aussie Kirk Lawton at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in New South Wales, only to be defeated in a second-round TKO, before deciding to retire following three consecutive losses past his heyday.
It’s been said that Esch found it tough adjusting to life away from the ring, with his weight shooting up to a colossal 500lb – which is over 35 stone. In a shocking twist, despite being offered a bout with the legend Mike Tyson in 2020, he turned it down due to not being in the right frame of mind or physical shape.
(Image: @Dallapage/Youtube)
He even confided in The Sun: “I went through a stage where I was looking at the end of my life – not that I was going to kill myself, but I was getting down, I was way overweight and just feeling down.” Elsewhere, in his candid ‘One More Fight’ doc released earlier this year, Esch opened up: “You don’t want everybody else to know your problems. I was in a dark, dark spot.
“Honestly I’d gave up. Me and Libby talked about who should get what, family treasure and things to me that meant so much that I wanted them to go to the right spot. I really didn’t think I was going to live a couple more years if I lived another year. I just felt that down and I had no energy. I was in a really bad spot.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The documentary also revealed a harrowing sight of Esch, once reliant on crutches and an electric scooter to get about – with his son Caleb confessing: “It was at Christmas, he just couldn’t get up. I didn’t think he’d live much longer.”
Butterbean’s knockout weight loss journey
Butterbean showed his champion spirit by dropping a colossal 200lbs, all thanks to his mate and WWE star Diamond Dallas Page. Initially sceptical, Esch got stuck into a tough workout routine and diet overhaul, tipping the scales at a leaner 303lbs last year.
In candid moments from the film, Esch explained: “I said ‘I ain’t doing yoga, there ain’t no way it’s going to help me. It ain’t going to work, it’s not possible.” The heavyweight hero’s perspective took a swift turn after some encouragement from UFC heavyweight Bas Rutten, and soon Esch was on his path to recovery.
(Image: butterbeanboxer/Instagram)
Yet it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Butterbean; he shares that at times the agony was ‘unbearable’. He added: “You feel like laying in bed and not doing nothing, just trying to find a comfortable spot. I don’t do that, I keep going – because I’ve been in that situation and I’ve laid in bed for almost a year, not doing nothing.
“I can’t relive that. I didn’t get to spend time with my grandkids. I don’t know how to really say it, it’s like looking for something to live for instead of just waiting to die. And that’s what I was doing. I didn’t care.” The hefty fighter is also all over social media flaunting his stunning weight loss progress, from displaying his old gigantic trousers to posting his latest scale victory.
Is a boxing comeback on the cards?
After shredding the pounds, Butterbean is itching to lace up the gloves once more – and he’s got his eyes set on social media star Jake Paul. Since making a splash in stardom with viral Vine loops and YouTube fame, Paul switched gears towards fisticuffs in January 2020 by trouncing fellow internet sensation AnEsonGib in his first pro bout.
Fast forward to 2024 and the YouTuber-turned-boxer boasts a knockout 10-1 win record, with victories against UFC heavy-hitters such as Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren. Butterbean’s fancying of a challenge has him chomping at the bit to enter the ring with Paul.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Diving into social media earlier this year, Butterbean threw down a $2 million [£1.5 million] gauntlet to the 27-year-old, stating: “Hey Jake Paul, would you fight me for $2m? Winner takes all.” Not one to be quiet, he later doubled down on TikTok, pressing: “Jake Paul, what you waiting on? Are we gonna do this or what? ” while showcasing his punching prowess on the heavy bag.
Esch, however, will have to bide his time for a showdown with ‘The Problem Child’. Paul is already scheduled to take on ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson in a super fight this November. The pair were originally meant to clash in the ring last month, but Tyson had to withdraw due to health issues.
Instead, Paul took on ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, where he secured a sixth-round TKO against the Bare Knuckle FC star. He’s now set to face Tyson on November 15 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.