Butterbean has never been shy about expressing his desire to take on Jake Paul in the ring.
The 58-year-old – real name Eric Esch – has repeatedly challenged the social media star online, hoping for a chance to share the boxing ring with the rising star. Paul first gained fame through platforms like Vine and YouTube before making his boxing debut in 2020 during the surge of influencer boxing.
Since his first-round TKO victory over AnEsonGib, Paul has amassed an impressive 9-1 professional boxing record, taking on not just fellow influencers but also seasoned champions from the world of combat sports. He bested former ONE FC welterweight champion Ben Askren in April 2021 before adding two victories against ex-UFC welterweight champ Tyron Woodley to his tally.
READ MORE: Butterbean reveals he’s open to boxing comeback after showing off body transformation
READ MORE: Jake Paul confesses he’s ‘praying’ for Mike Tyson fight that might never happen
In 2022, Paul continued to build momentum by securing a unanimous-decision win over arguably the greatest middleweight MMA fighter of all time, Anderson Silva – who held his UFC title for six years and 265 days, defending it ten times against fighters such as Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Forest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar, to name a few.
With additional wins over Nate Diaz and Mike Perry, Paul is currently enjoying a four-fight winning streak, following his only defeat to Tommy Fury in February last year. However, his most challenging bout to date is set for November, when he squares off against former heavyweight WBA, WBO and IBF champion Mike Tyson, reports the Mirror.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Despite Tyson being past his prime – at 58 years old and having not fought competitively since hanging up his gloves in June 2005 – boxing enthusiasts around the globe are eagerly anticipating a historic showdown, wondering if ‘Iron Mike’ will be the first to knock Paul out when they face off on November 15.
However, Butterbean appears more intent on securing his own headline fight with Paul in the near future – having challenged the ‘Problem Child’ several times with enticing offers. Here, Mirror Fighting examines all of Butterbean’s peace offerings to Paul….
Butterbean fighting fit and ready for a brawl – March 2022
Between 1994 and 2013, Butterbean amassed an impressive boxing record of 77-10-4 before finally retiring, bagging the IBA World Super Heavyweight Championship and the WAA World Heavyweight Championship in his prime – as well as dabbling in MMA through promotions like PRIDE FC, K-1 and KSW.
In retirement, Esch was plagued by mobility issues, reportedly weighing over 500lb (more than 35 stone) to the point where he needed crutches and an electric scooter for assistance. However, with the help of WWE star Diamond Dallas Page, Butterbean managed to shed a remarkable amount of weight with hopes of making a comeback to the ring for one final face-off with Paul.
Speaking about his transformation and comeback plans, he said: “I’m working with DDP to get up walking and running around again and I’m feeling the best shape I ever have. I’m at fight weight. You’ll have to listen to my podcast coming up to find exactly how much weight I have lost, but I haven’t weighed this in over 20 years so that’ll give you an idea.
(Image: TikTok/@butterbeankingof4round)
“The big announcement is I’m gonna fight one last fight. It’s gonna be one year from now. Jake Paul, if you’re ready, I’m here for you my friend. Let’s get it on, me and you Jake Paul. I bet it would be an awesome fight. After you said what you said about me in the magazine, I’m ready to fight you. Are you ready? I don’t think so.”
Back in November 2020, Jake Paul, who had a 5-0 record at the time, shrugged off any comparisons to Butterbean, the King of the Four Rounders. He brazenly told critics: “They can go f*** off,” clearly dismissing the legendary boxer. Butterbean cemented his body transformation last year when he revealed how he had slimmed down from 515lbs to just over 300lbs.
Jake Paul runs his mouth too much – July 2022
In July 2022, Butterbean made sure his thoughts on Paul were loud and clear: “I’m not a typical boxer, I go out there to fight, I want to knock somebody out. Jake Paul or Mike Tyson. Jake Paul runs his mouth too much, he’s never fought nobody, I would love to fight him.
“But I think people would like to see me and Tyson go at it, which would be a hell of a draw. Me and Tyson are actually friends but I don’t mind fighting friends.” Butterbean revealed he was given the chance to throw hands with Tyson in 2020, but the boxing ace turned it down to enjoy some downtime with his nearest and dearest.
A whopping £1.5million offer – July 2024
Earlier this year, Butterbean raised the stakes in his quest to duel with Paul, hitting up social media to dangle a tempting £1.5million winner-takes-all bout. The YouTube sensation was meant to clash with Tyson that very month, but ‘Iron’ Mike had to bail because of an ulcer going rogue, leading to bare-knuckle star Mike Perry jumping in at the eleventh hour for a face-off.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Quick off the mark, Butterbean swooped onto social media to pitch the hefty challenge to Paul once more, posting: “Hey Jake Paul, would you fight me for $2m [£1.5million]? Winner takes all.” After securing a TKO victory over Perry in round six, Paul rebooked his tussle with Tyson for November 15.
A fighting fit workout video – August 2024
After a radio silence from Paul on his TikTok vid the month before, Butterbean hopped back on social media in August to hint he was still twiddling his thumbs for a reply regarding their whopping £1.5million brawl offer. Showing off on TikTok post-Paul’s victory over Perry, Butterbean landed a few hefty ones on the punchbag before spinning to the lens and throwing down the gauntlet: “Jake Paul, what you waiting on? Are we gonna do this or what?”
A “scam” fight – August 2024
In August 2024, Butterbean slammed Tyson vs Paul as a total “scam” during a fiery outburst at the Georgia Pop and Horror Con. Getting vocal in a Q&A, he blasted: “Him and Tyson are never gonna fight. 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.”
Butterbean opens the door to a Tyson bout – August 2024
And then last month, after ages trying to get in the ring with Paul, Butterbean seemed to chuck an invite to Tyson too. He took to TikTok to put out some savage training clips walloping the pads captioned: “Getting ready for my next opponent… I hope you’re ready @JakePaul @ Netflix @MikeTyson.”
In a candid sit-down with Chris Van Vliet, boxing legend Butterbean made it clear he’s game for a clash with Tyson, even at 58. He confessed: “I’ve never been knocked out. [Tyson’s] been knocked out quite a few times. I’m not trash-talking, I like Mike Tyson.
“But he’s actually small, he’s not a big guy. He’s powerful, I have no doubt! The reason me and Tyson would be a good fight, Tyson wouldn’t be afraid. He’s come right at me, we’d go to the centre of the ring and we’d beat the s*** out of each other. It would be a hell of a fight to watch!”