07 August 2023 , 07:59
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He was once dubbed the man who put the term 'heavy' into heavyweight boxing, but now Eric 'Butterbean' Esch is just half the man he used to be.
Famous for his hefty frame and knockout punch, the American has long cemented a reputation for being one of the sport's biggest personalities. And it wasn't just boxing where the star made his name, also enjoying stints in professional kickboxing, MMA, and wrestling.
But behind the charisma and bravado was an individual struggling with his self-esteem amid lifelong weight problems. At 57-years-old however, it's an issue the Georgia-based fighter has now addressed after undergoing an incredible body transformation which has seen him lose over 200lbs (14 stone).
In his prime, he would weigh in at a massive 515lbs. But following an intense exercise and diet regime, and working with former WWE star and fitness fanatic Diamond Dallas Page, the ex-IBA World Super Heavyweight champion took to Instagram to show fans his progress.
He stepped on the scales to see them register just over 303lbs. That represents a staggering loss of over 200lbs, and so buoyed is he by the turnaround that the fearsome fighter now wants to return to the squared circle.
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"I went through a stage where I was looking at the end of my life - not that I was going to kill myself, but I was getting down, I was way overweight and just feeling down," he explained to . And should he comeback, he's honing in on two potential opponents.
HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you think of Butterbean's weight loss effort? Comment below.
Butterbean weighted up to 233 kilograms during his career (Getty Images)
The star shows off his recent weight loss (butterbeanboxer/Instagram)“ Jake Paul runs his mouth too much, he’s never fought nobody, I would love to fight him. But I think people would like to see me and Tyson go at it, which would be a hell of a draw."
Tyson, 57, himself returned to the ring in December 2020, battling t o an eight-round exhibition draw with fellow legend Roy Jones Jnr. And Butterbean is happy to cast his friendship aside in order to put on a show for the fans: “Me and Tyson are actually friends but I don’t mind fighting friends.”
Despite previously calling out the 'Problem Child ' bout with Paul looks less likely for the man who retired in 2013 with a career record of 77-10-4 from his 91 bouts. The YouTuber beat former UFC star Nate Diaz on points on Saturday, and the pair have already verbally agreed a rematch under MMA rules.