'Jake Paul showed his true colours by badmouthing me when I was in a wheelchair'

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'Jake Paul showed his true colours by badmouthing me when I was in a wheelchair'
Eric 'Butterbean' Esch has been out of the ring since his 2013 loss to Kirk Lawton, but he is eyeing a return to action as he looks to settle the score with YouTube sensation Jake Paul
Jake Paul has carved out a successful boxing career
(Image: Getty Images )
Butterbean has issued a fierce warning to Jake Paul as he considers making his comeback to the boxing ring.
The 58-year-old American hasn't fought since suffering a TKO defeat to Kirk Lawton in 2013. And in the years since, the fighter, whose real name is Eric Esch, has faced an entirely different challenge: battling his weight and morbid obesity.
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Butterbean's weight ballooned to a staggering 500lb – equivalent to 36.7 stone – at his peak, leaving him wheelchair-bound as medical professionals warned he might never regain the ability to walk. Throughout this period, Butterbean alleges that Paul "talked bad" about him, only to alter his stance now that the veteran has regained his fitness through an extraordinary physical transformation, shedding over 200lbs (15 stone).
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Speaking to Mirror Fighting this week through Lucky Energy, Butterbean said: "As soon as he says yes, I'm ready. You know, I was in really bad shape. I was in a wheelchair for over three years. I couldn't walk. I got over 500 pounds. I was fat and sloppy and couldn't walk, and Jake wanted to talk bad about me then.
"So, I decided to get my fat butt in shape. And guess what I did? I'm 280 right now, 285. I've never been under 300 in my life that I know of. And now that I'm ready, he's like, 'Well, dude, you're a legend. I can't fight you right now.' Yeah, buddy. Let's get it going."
When asked about his confidence in potentially ending Paul's boxing career, he added: "I don't think he's afraid of me, but I think his people know that if he gets knocked out, his career's over. Like, I would knock him out bad. I hit way too hard for him."
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Butterbean even described a potential bout with Paul as "one of the best fights of the year", as he claimed: "I hit too hard for Jake. Needless to say, Jake was a joke in the beginning. Just another YouTuber out there trying to prove a point.
Butterbean has a message for Jake Paul
(Image: 2012 The Ring Magazine )
"He's got a lot better... so I wouldn't mind sharing the ring just to fight him. Not just to shut him out because I think he was worthless, but he kind of p***ed me off."
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Butterbean attributes his significant weight loss to WWE legend 'Diamond' Dallas Page and his intensive yoga regimen, noting that at 58, he feels fitter than during his boxing heyday in his twenties. He said: "I'm not in a wheelchair no more.
"I went and moved to DDP for a while, did his yoga programme, and I'm in the best shape of my life right now. I feel better now at 50-something than I did when I was in my 20s, which is insane. I can't explain it, but the Fountain of Youth, I dove in it and I come out so much better."
Paul, on the other hand, has seen a meteoric rise since launching his professional boxing career with a first-round TKO against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib in January 2020. Subsequent victories included knockouts of Nate Robinson and wins over seasoned UFC stars Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva.
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Butterbean hopes to fight Jake Paul
(Image: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images )
However, he experienced his first career defeat in February 2023, losing to Tommy Fury via split decision. Despite this setback, Paul bounced back with wins over notable opponents such as Nate Diaz, Andre Augustm, Ryan Bourland and Mike Perry.
Last November, Paul faced what was touted as the most significant fight of his career, squaring off against former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson, despite a 30-year age gap. Paul emerged victorious from that bout, winning by unanimous decision.
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He followed this up with another win last month against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, also by unanimous decision, improving his record to 12-1. As for his next opponent, it remains uncertain, although Butterbean is hopeful of enticing Paul into a lucrative match, despite ongoing rumours of a rematch with Fury.
Butterbean has just launched a brand-new flavour of beverage with Lucky Energy in his Butterbean's Knockout Punch. The brand describes the fresh taste as "a tropical mix of pineapple, orange, cherry, with a heavy kick of nostalgia fruit punch."
Butterbean spoke as part of his collaboration with Lucky Energy. You can find out more about his brand-new Butterbean's Knockout Punch flavour here.