Who is butterbean boxer

The legend of Eric Esch began in the early s in Alabama. He was working at a manufacturing plant and his co-workers dared him to enter a Toughman contest, which he did and won. However, there was a weight limit of pounds and Esch had to go on a strict diet of mostly chicken and butterbeans to drop some extra pounds.

Hence, the legend of Butterbean was born. Butterbean would go on to win five World Toughman Heavyweight Championships and transitioned into the world of professional boxing in Competing in mostly four-round fights, Esch won his first 15 bouts before losing to Mitchell Rose at Madison Square Garden in December His third loss came in a highly-publicized fight with Larry Holmes in July , the only fight of his career that was scheduled for at least 10 rounds.

Butterbean finally retired from boxing in with a career record of Unfortunately, Esch never got the fight he wanted the most, a dream fight with Mike Tyson , although he once stated his case that he deserved it a little more than some of the other guys Iron Mike fought during his comeback after being released from prison.

And my very good friend Buster Mathis Jr. From to , Esch fought 28 times and retired with a career record of Toward the end of his fight career, Esch got his own reality show, Big Law: Deputy Butterbean on Investigation Discovery, which followed him as a reserve deputy sheriff in Jasper, Alabama.

Of his 77 victories, 58 came via KO. With 20 victories in the first round alone, Butterbean only went past the four-round distance once. Who was that against? Enjoying a colorful career, Esch was a fan favorite who consistently banged out his opponents and produced excitement.

In the ilk of the late Kimbo Slice during his boxing run, Esch put bums on seats despite punters knowing the fight could end at any moment. Losing to Mitchell Rose in 48 seconds at the start of his tenure, Billy Zumbrun inflicting a second in after three draws stuffed inside a host highlight-reel stoppages. Winding down his career, Butterbean scored just one win in six and suffered three more losses between and The dip in form coincided with Esch plucking out some lesser opposition to get himself back on track with three straight knockouts up to In a dignified move, Butterbean chose to go out on top with victory over Joe Siciliano.

Two years on, and the comeback was on. Sadly for Esch, he had nothing left. Just over two years away and Esch was back again, suffering another reverse to Curt Allen in Elizabeth.