Lisa Bernheim/Staff (left to right) Darrin Carline fights against Eric "Butterbean" Esch at the Civic Center on July 9, 2010. The fight ended after the third round with a draw.
Happy 50th Birthday Eric Esch – Butterbean
Happy 50th Birthday Eric Esch – Butterbean
Eric Scott Esch (born August 3, 1966), commonly referred to as Butterbean, is an American former professional boxer, kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and professional wrestler who competed in the heavyweight division.
Today Butterbean turns 50 years old. Happy Birthday to one of the legends in all of combat sports.
Butterbean is also is a minor television personality, having appeared in several programs and been referenced by many others. Esch transitioned to professional boxing in 1994 following a successful stint on the Toughman Contest scene and went on to capture the World Athletic Association (WAA) heavyweight and IBA super heavyweight championships. Beginning in 2003, he began fighting regularly as a kickboxer and mixed martial artist, most notably in K-1 and the Pride Fighting Championships. Butterbean’s combined fight record stands at 97–24–5 with 66 knockouts and 10 submissions.
Butterbean appeared in the film Jackass: The Movie (2002), in a public stunt; an arranged fight with Johnny Knoxville in a department store. After the fight began, Knoxville fell, got up, was asked by Butterbean to hit him at least once. Knoxville did so, was easily knocked to the floor by Esch, and received several stitches in his head after the encounter (the camera catches Knoxville snoring). Waking confused, Knoxville asked if Butterbean survived the fight. Knoxville stated that Esch is actually quite friendly outside of the ring, despite his fearsome ringside demeanor.
