Eric Esch Tickets

Eric Esch aka "Butterbean" the boxer known as the "King of the Four Rounders" lost to Harry Funmaker (18-17-0, 6 KOs) by 4-round split decision on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at the US Cellular Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Funmaker had Butterbean up against the ropes working his body for most of the fight although Butterbean did land some haymakers. The fight took place on the Brew City Brawl fight card promoted by Iron Fist Promotions. It was the third time Butterbean and Funmaker met in the ring. Butterbean fought Funmaker back in 2000 and 1998 winning by unanimous decision both times. This final bout of their trilogy was said to be Butterbean's last fight before retirement.

Butterbean is scheduled to fight Curt Allan (7-1-1, 3 KOs) of Louisville, Kentucky in a 4-round heavyweight fight on Friday, January 13, 2012 at the Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana. Allan previously fought and lost by 3rd round TKO to Butterbean back on January 18, 1997 at the Thomas and Mack in Las Vegas, Nevada on a fight card featuring boxers such as Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Kostya Tszyu. 47-year-old Allan has not fought since May 1999.

Fight Location Date Boxing Tickets
Esch vs TBA      

Eric "Butterbean" Esch

(77-8-4, 58 KOs)

Eric Esch aka Butterbean, the 385 plus pounder is a cult favorite. Butterbean started out his fight career in Toughman contests winning eighteen of them before turning professional boxer. Butterbean formerly held the IBA super heavyweight title.

Butterbean's most notable fights are with Larry Holmes in 2002 and Peter McNeeley in 1999. Butterbean went 10 rounds with Holmes. Larry Holmes won by unanimous decision but Butterbean did get credited for a knockdown of Holmes in the final round. Butterbean's best win was over McNeeley whom he beat by 1st round TKO. McNeeley was Mike Tyson's first opponent following his prison release in 1995.

Butterbean Knockouts

Besides boxing Butterbean has appeared in Jackass: The Movie, WWE In Your House PPV series and WWE WrestleMania XV - The Ragin' Climax. In December 2003 he ventured into mixed martial arts fighting on K-1, Pride, Fistfight, King of the Cage (KOTC) and Rumble on the Rock (ROTR) fight cards. After scoring an impressive 1st round knockout of James Thompson, a highly regarded Pride MMA fighter on February 10, 2007 Butterbean established himself as a mixed martial arts contender.

On March 9, 2007 at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts Butterbean dominated Joe Siciliano. Butterbean weighed in at 417.5 pounds while Joe Siciliano weighed in at 313.5 pounds. A specially reinforced ring was used since their combined weight was an all time record of 731 pounds. Butterbean, the bald headed big guy knocked Siciliano down once in round one and three times in round two causing Siciliano's corner to throw in the towel in round two after 1:10 seconds. The 49 year old Joe Siciliano is also infamously known for his knockout loss to Peter McNeeley in 2000 which came 25 seconds into the 1st round.

Butterbean vs Tom Howard

Nearing the end of his boxing career Butterbean isn't unable to take too many more shots to the head but is still able to fight in MMA because its less punishing. In 2007 Butterbean fought in several mixed martial arts fights including his fight on December 1, 2007 in Jasper, Alabama where Butterbean beat former pro wrestler, K1 kickboxer and actor Tom Howard by 1st round submission in a mixed martial arts exhibition in the World Cage Championship.