Butterbean inflicted one of his finest stoppages over Rodney Phillips, over whom he weighed 162lbs more.
Butterbean – real named Eric Esch – was one of the biggest icons in the sport during his 19-year career which spanned from 1994 until 2013.
The unorthodox heavyweight weighed a mammoth 300lbs to 400lbs during his time in the boxing ring, and developed a cult following of his fights.
Esch produced some memorable nights in the sport as a result of his trademark power, which saw him complete a huge highlight-reel of ferocious stoppages.
And none were more reflective of his explosive-hitting than in his May 2004 win over Rodney Phillips.
Butterbean competed in the four-round format, and looked twice the size of his rival who came in at 162lbs less than his weight, which was near the 400lb mark.
The ‘King of the 4 Rounders’ made the statement he needed as he pushed the pace from the opening bell.
But in the second stanza, without hardly throwing a punch, it was just one shot he needed to close the show.
The American looked to tee up the shot and, as his rival retreated to his back foot, he unleashed a looping overhand right with surprising speed.
It was a thunderous shot which connected flush with the chin of Phillips who was immediately sent staggering backwards.
He was left with his back flat on the canvas and caught up with the bottom rope as the referee immediately started his ten-count.
Butterbean’s rival had no answer as he attempted to regain his footing, but was simply left clambering around the canvas.
It was yet another fighter who had been downed by the icon, who claimed his latest victim as he continued a bounce back from his 2002 defeat to Larry Holmes.
This KO was another marker in the mind-blowing career of the entertainer, who went on to continue to defy odds.
Esch developed his ‘Butterbean’ nickname when forced to go on a diet of butterbeans and chicken to compete in Toughman contests.
It was just one of the disciplines that Esch perfected, reigning as a four-time champion across several sports including in kickboxing and MMA.
Butterbean went on to fight 17 more times in the boxing ring, where he won 10 fights and lost seven.
The final stages of his time in the squared circle were disappointing as he fell to three consecutive defeats before his retirement in 2013.
His final outing came in Australia against Kirk Lawton, and the pair fought in one of the heaviest fights in boxing history.
Things have changed dramatically for the now-retired veteran who has made some dramatic alterations to his life since boxing.
Esch at the age of 55 has been training with WWE superstar Dallas Diamond Page, and he has a seriously impressive body transformation.
He has shed a total of 200lbs and looks unrecognisable in comparison to his fighting prime.
Butterbean was keen to return to the ring for one last fight potentially in exhibition format, and called out YouTube star Jake Paul.
He said in 2021: “I’m working with DDP to get up walking and running around again and I’m feeling the best shape I ever have.
“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.
“Jake Paul, if you’re ready, I’m here for you my friend. Let’s get it on, me and you Jake Paul.
“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.”
Despite the call-out, Butterbean has not returned to the ring and is likely to remain retired and is happy with simply his weight loss.
Instead, his son stepped into the ring in April for his pro boxing debut, but this did not go to plan.
Eric’s son Matthew Caleb Esch took to the ring in an attempt to follow in his father’s footsteps.
The 5ft 9ins youngster made his professional debut against Joshua Brice, but did not get the result he desired.
Esch was knocked out in round two of the four-round contest after taking a brutal body shot from Brice.
He could not recover and sat out the referee’s count, so is now 0-1 as a pro boxer as a result.
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News Summary:
- Butterbean left rival flat on his back with huge one-punch KO to in fight with one of biggest weight differences in boxing history
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