Boxing cult hero Butterbean sparks major concern (2025)

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American boxing icon Butterbean, real name Eric Esch, has sparked concern among fight fans after making an unlikely return to the ring at the age of 58 after losing an incredible 15 stone (90kgs).

Butterbean, a former IBA super heavyweight champion, pro wrestling and kickboxing star, has gone on an incredible weight loss journey in recent years after revealing that he at one stage tipped the scales at roughly 26 stone (233kg).

He credited his remarkable transformation to working out with DDP Yoga, a program started by former WWE wrestler Diamond Dallas Page.

Butterbean last fought in 2013, when he took on against Kirk Lawton in Australia - injuring himself in the process.

The beloved heavyweight, who has decided to get back into combat sports, stepped into the ring last weekend to wrestle Minoru Suzuki in Las Vegas.

The wrestling legend clearly took it easy on Butterbean, who appeared to be struggling physically at times throughout the match.

Fans expressed alarm after seeing footage from the event.

'What the hell is going on,' posted one X user.

'Why was Butterbean wrestling,' demanded another.

Another fan referenced a Johnny Knoxville quote from Jackass: 'Is Butterbean ok?'

In 2022, Butterbean claimed that he was on the verge of a boxing comeback - and wasted no time in calling out YouTuber Jake Paul.

'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,' he said.

'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.'

In early 2025, the heavyweight icon issued a challenge to wrestling and UFC star Brock Lesnar.

Lesnaris the only man to have won the heavyweight championships in WWE, UFC and the NCAA.

'I'm going to do it one more time', Butterbean said.

'I would love to fight Brock Lesnar in a boxing match.

'He runs his mouth, he's a big guy, it would be a great fight and something that people would want to see'.

'It's going to be a real fight, not this grab the money and run thing. I don't want an exhibition, I want a real fight'.

'I just had a deal with the owner of energy drink company Lucky Energy, which are going to help make it happen'.

Jake PaulWWEUFC FightingLas Vegas

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