Boxing cult hero Butterbean calls out Jake Paul as he targets a shock comeback next year after whipping himself back into shape… as he tells the YouTuber-turned-fighter he is ‘ready’ to face him a decade since his last contest
Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch claims he is on the verge of a boxing comeback nine years after hanging up the gloves – and he has wasted no time in calling out Jake Paul.
Butterbean, who once tipped the scales at an astonishing 417lbs ahead of a 2007 bout against Joe Siciliano, enjoyed great popularity throughout his 91-fight career, winning 77 of those encounters and 58 by knockout.
The American heavyweight mainly took part in four-round contests, but he once shared the ring with fight legend Larry Holmes before eventually retiring in 2013.
Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch has called out Jake Paul as he targets a shock boxing comeback in 2023
Almost a decade on from his last outing, Butterbean has revealed he is set for a comeback next year after shedding the pounds with the help of WWE star Diamond Dallas Page, who has a track record for getting retired athletes back into shape.
And ahead of his return, he has thrown down the gauntlet to YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul for a potential showdown.
‘I’m working with DDP to get up walking and running around again and I’m feeling the best shape I ever have,’ he said on social media.
‘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.
‘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.
Butterbean, who once weighed in at a staggering 417lbs, claims he is returning to the sport next year after getting himself back into shape
And he is eager to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul when he makes his boxing comeback
‘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.’
Paul has won all five of his professional contests since venturing into boxing, earning knockout victories over former UFC stars Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren.
The online sensation is making some bold claims amid the strong start to his fighting career, with hardcore fans ridiculing him for calling out pound-for-pound great Canelo Alvarez.
Many feel Paul is simply another sideshow attraction like Butterbean, but when told about this perception he said in December 2020: ‘They can go f–k off. I stole the [Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones] show.
‘I understand why people don’t want to respect me yet. I’m putting the work in.
‘I’ve had two flawless victories. I’ve dedicated my entire life to this. I have an $8 million mansion in Calabasas that I wasn’t staying at for six months because I’ve been in Las Vegas training twice a day, pouring my heart and soul into this.
‘If people don’t respect that, I don’t know what they will respect. It’s an uphill battle for Jake Paul. It always has been. I fought for everything my entire life.’
Source: Daily Mail Online