Butter Bean - King Of The Four - Rounders

The story of Eric Esch, a ‘400-pound fat kid’ who became a must-see heavyweight attraction thanks to his cartoon-like appearance and genuine punching power. The oft-discussed Mike Tyson showdown never occurred but, as Thomas Gerbasi discovers, that did not stop the bald and bloated ‘Butterbean’ from becoming one of the unlikeliest heroes of his time

- Thomas Gerbasi

THE venues have changed, but Eric Esch still hears the roar of the crowd. Sometimes it’s from the folks piling into his restaurant in Jasper, Alabama, Mr. Bean’s BBQ; at others, it’s from his grandchildren. So if you ask him, there is nothing to miss from his time as a prizefighter.

“Not really,” said the 52-year-old better known as Butter bean. “I had a lot of fun when I was doing it, but it was time to hang ‘em up and let somebody else that’s younger do it. I’m just retired, hanging out with my grand kids and my family, that’s about it.”

The internet says there are eight of those grand kids, and he confirms it with a laugh, saying, “We’re working on a football team.”

If the Esch family did ultimately produce a starting 11, it wouldn’t be the craziest story you’ve ever heard. That honour goes to granddad Eric, who found a way to be a true original in a world where achieving that feat isn’t a common occurrence. There’s only one Ricky Hatton? Sure, but there’s REALLY only one Butter bean.

“I’m a one of a kind guy,” he said. “Well, not really. There are a lot of me out there; people just don’t put the effort in and do what I did. Anybody can achieve what they want; they just gotta go out there and get it.”

Think about it. Considering Esch’s popularity over the course of nearly two decades in the ring, you would assume that some promoter somewhere would look to find someone to emulate “The King of the Four-Rounders.” But it’s never happened. There are no 400pound boxers sporting red, white and blue trunks and a clean-shaven head knocking out opponents left and right, drawing the ire of purists while thrilling the ticket-buying public.

So how did this happen?