Butterbean lit up the boxing during the 1990s when Celebrity Boxing first burst onto the scene. However, following a first loss, Butterbean’s career ended with a whimper.
Real name Eric Esch, Butterbean continues to enjoy cult status in the sport. Affectionately known as ‘The King of the Four Rounders,’ Butterbean remains in the spotlight whenever he airs an opinion on anything boxing-related.
Butterbean entertained fans’ thirst for knockouts between 1999 and 2005, recording 77 victories and 58 big knockouts. An astonishing 20 of those victories were recorded in the first round alone. He destroyed opponents during the Mike Tyson era but never got his heavyweight rival in the ring.
They do hold a common big-name opponent in Larry Holmes, who defeated Butterbean over ten rounds in July 2002 at the age of 53. However, towards the end, and like so many loved punchers before him, Butterbean continued too long.
Losing to Mitchell Rose in 48 seconds at the start of his tenure, Billy Zumbrun inflicted a second in 2001 after three draws stuffed inside a host of highlight-reel stoppages. Holmes represented the third defeat before things began to turn for Esch as he approached his 40s.
Winding down his career, Butterbean scored just one win in six and suffered three more losses between 2005 and 2006. In 2007, Butterbean chose to go out on top with victory over Joe Sicili in a dignified move. It didn’t last.
Two years on, and the comeback was on. Sadly for Esch, he had nothing left. Harry Funmaker didn’t live up to his name for Butterbean and gained a split decision to make it eight defeats for the American legend.
Esch made the shock decision to unretire again after 17 months at 46. Butterbean fought Kirk Lawton in Australia but pulled out, citing a shoulder complaint. The second-round loss finally made the big man come to his senses and hang up his gloves.
Years of potential comebacks fell away into the 2010s as Butterbean ballooned in weight, even by his standards, and suffered debilitating injuries. It wasn’t until he met former WWE star Diamond Dallas Page that Butterbean got his life back on track.
Losing 200 pounds in weight, Butterbean is back healthy again and contemplating one more round.
Sign up for the WBN Newsletter and get daily news directly in your email.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.