Iconic heavyweight Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch’s legacy is set to be continued.
The boxing icon shot to notoriety during his professional career and became a fan favourite across the globe with fans stunned by his ability in the ring, given his particularly large physique which he inherited from his strongman days.
Butterbean has been in the news recently after making an incredible transformation losing 200lbs, and even suggesting that he could make a return to the ring to take on influencer Jake Paul last year.
Despite never having made a final bow in the squared circle, it appears his Esch family name will be back in the sport again with his son Matthew Caleb Esch set to make his professional bow.
The young star, who is 5ft 9ins and was born in Alabama, will face fellow debutant Joshua Brice on April 6 at The Venue at Coosa Landing, Gadsden in the US.
He will likely receive high scrutiny given the notoriety of his father in the sport, which will come similarly to the sons of Nigel Benn, Manny Pacquiao and Evander Holyfield who have all been seen following in their footsteps and pursuing a career in the sweet science.
Esch’s son Brandon already attempted to carry the famous name of the ‘King of the Four Rounders’, but lost all three of his MMA fights between 2008 and 2010.
Like his father, Matthew Caleb Esch will be competing in the heavyweight division.
Esch Sr made his professional debut in October 1994, going on to fight 91 times in the ranks with 77 wins, 10 losses and four draws with an impressive 75 per cent KO ratio.
His career ended in 2013, with his most notable fights seeing him stop Mike Tyson’s former rival Peter McNeeley in 1999, and lose on points to legend Larry Holmes in 2002.
The rumour mill has always turned surrounding a comeback to the ring, and he once again teased a potential fight with his opponent based from the ‘wrestling community’.
He said: “I got one last fight we’re gonna do. We’re not sure exactly who we’re gonna fight. A lot of talks of several big names.
“There’s one of them in the wrestling community that’s been brought up several times.
“I’ll tell you who I’d love to fight and I always haven’t was (Mike) Tyson and it’s very possible he could be one of the four that we’re talking with now. So, it’s not out of the realm yet.”
There has been a whole wave of boxing legends re-entering the ring since Floyd Mayweather first made his appearance in an exhibition-style fight.
Roy Jones Jr and Mike Tyson appeared in the ring in a hugely successful exhibition clash in 2020, which paved thje way for a whole host of boxing legends to return.
It has since been announced that ‘Iron’ Mike will return in a clash with Paul himself on July 20 despite an astonishing 31-year age gap.
There has been justifiable concerns for Tyson’s health, and it would be much the same should ‘Butterbean’ choose to follow suit and return.
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News Summary:
- Boxing icon Butterbean’s son set to follow in his father’s footsteps by making professional boxing debut
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