According to boxing icon Butterbean, he was genuinely stunned by an opponent only a single time throughout his long career in combat sports.
Eric Esch, known widely as the heavyweight legend Butterbean, officially competed in 126 professional contests spanning boxing, MMA, and kickboxing.
However, Butterbean maintains that his total number of fights, including unofficial ones, exceeds 300 before he retired in 2013.
Known for his incredibly durable chin, the American fighter states that the only blow that ever truly tested its limits was a head kick delivered by someone who is now one of his closest friends.
Identifying the Hardest Hitter
In 2006, fighting under MMA rules, Butterbean secured a TKO victory over Wesley Correira after a doctor stopped the bout due to Correira suffering a broken arm.
Two years subsequent to their initial fight, Correira, nicknamed ‘Cabbage’, avenged his loss in a kickboxing rematch at the K-1 World Grand Prix.
During this rematch, Correira connected with a powerful head kick that visibly staggered Butterbean, causing him to fall face-first onto the canvas.
Although the now 58-year-old fighter wasn`t knocked unconscious and managed to stand back up, the bout was halted as he was judged unable to safely continue.
In a recent interview discussing the toughest opponents he faced, Butterbean remarked on his own resilience, stating, “There’s nobody out there who I think is gonna be able to hurt me. I’m so tough.”
He further elaborated on his durability, saying, “I’m not trying to brag on myself, but I could run into a brick wall and stand up and smile.
“I fought a guy named ‘Cabbage’ Correira, and I took a leg kick to the head.
Describing the impact, he explained, “It’s what they call ringing your bell. I could hear bells. He’s the only one who ever really made me feel like that. He didn’t knock me out. I’ve never really been knocked out, but ‘Cabbage’ is a really tough dude and a really good friend of mine.”
He humorously concluded, “It’s funny how somebody can hit you in the head and rock your world, and now your best friends.”
Comeback Plans for 2025
Following his retirement, Butterbean`s weight increased significantly, reaching up to 500 lbs, which led to him being confined to a wheelchair for a period of several years.
He has since undergone a remarkable transformation, losing 220 lbs, and is now prepared to return to fighting to demonstrate that recovery is possible regardless of setbacks.
Speaking about his motivation for a return, Butterbean stated, “I wanna do one more fight to prove to people that no matter how down you get, if you believe in yourself like I believe in myself, you can accomplish anything.”
He expressed urgency regarding the timing, adding, “I wanna do it this year [referring to 2025]. Most definitely this year.”
Butterbean has publicly expressed interest in facing high-profile opponents like Jake Paul, who he considers a primary target, and also mentioned a desire to fight Brock Lesnar.
However, it appears improbable that either Paul or Lesnar will accept a bout with Esch, as they have not responded to his challenges.
Regardless of whether these specific fights materialize, Butterbean intends to cap off his significant personal turnaround by competing against a different opponent in 2025.
