Boxing legend Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch has heaped praise on Logan Paul – but brutally labelled his younger brother Jake Paul a “tool”.
The Paul siblings, originally from Westlake, Ohio, are currently two of the biggest names in boxing and sports entertainment. Having risen to fame as teenagers with their viral social media antics, Jake’s now a big-ticket name in the world of boxing, while Logan’s fought the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr and KSI in the ring before signing with WWE.
Butterbean, 58, is no stranger to the fight game himself, having carved out a fearsome reputation in the ’90s and early noughties thanks to a record of 77 wins and just 10 losses. Tipping the scales at a whopping 515lbs at the peak of his gargantuan frame, he became a global hit and recently spoke about making a comeback to the ring after shedding a significant amount of weight.
READ MORE: Butterbean unrecognisable after incredible transformation as he eyes £2m Jake Paul fight
READ MORE: Mike Tyson punches Jake Paul during heated weigh-in as two rivals come to blows
Aside from boxing, Butterbean also tried his hand at MMA from 1995 to 2011 and made appearances on WWE (then WWF) in the ’90s. And despite the Paul brothers both being involved in combat sports, the veteran’s opinion of the pair differs significantly.
Asked if there’s a wrestler who currently excites him during a live Q&A at Georgia Pop and Horror Con, Butterbean said: “Jake’s a tool, don’t get me wrong, but Logan wrestling wise is really coming along. I’ll be honest, nothing against him but Jake is a different story – I don’t care for him. Logan is a really talented wrestler.”
Logan, 29, signed with WWE in June 2022, having made his debut as The Miz’s partner at WrestleMania 38. Thanks to his role as a free agent, he shone for both Raw and SmackDown and even claimed the WWE United States Championship in November 2023.
Which Paul brother do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section.
(Image: Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Butterbean shares some bad blood with Logan’s 27-year-old brother Jake. Since making his pro boxing debut in January 2020 against internet sensation AnEsonGib, Jake has made a habit of taking on and defeating aged former stars from combat sports.
His hit list boasts famous former UFC stars like Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren. That has led critics to call out Jake as a gimmick boxer, which he addressed by taking an unwarranted swipe at Butterbean.
Delving into their feud last year, Butterbean said: “I’d love to fight Jake Paul but he’s too smart to fight me. I’m not saying he’s a coward or anything like that but I would destroy him. I think he knows.
(Image: Getty Images)
“I hit way too hard for him. He made a statement a while back about me, saying ‘I’m not like Butterbean. I’m not a joke.’ Ever since then I’ve wanted to fight him just to show him.”
Butterbean has since labelled Jake’s blockbuster bout with boxing legend Mike Tyson a “scam”. The former heavyweight brawler is adamant that the pair will never get into the ring together and has even laid down a $2million (£1.5m) challenge to ‘The Problem Child’ on social media.
(Image: TikTok/@butterbeankingof4round)
He said: “Hey Jake Paul, would you fight me for $2m? Winner takes all.” Not one to stay quiet, he later doubled down on TikTok, pressing: “Jake Paul, what you waiting on? Are we gonna do this or what?” The video also saw him showcase his punching prowess on a heavy bag.
Butterbean must first wait to see if he can get his hands on Paul as the YouTuber is preparing for his November clash with Tyson, which is set to be Netflix’s first live-streamed boxing event. In the aftermath of the original fight’s postponement, Paul took on ‘Platinum’ Mike Perry, clinching a sixth-round TKO victory over the Bare Knuckle FC fighter.