{"id":232270,"date":"2025-07-02T15:04:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T15:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/232270\/"},"modified":"2025-07-02T15:04:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T15:04:09","slug":"butterbean-claims-jake-paul-sparked-rivalry-by-trash-talking-him-when-he-was-500lb-and-confined-to-a-wheelchair","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/232270\/","title":{"rendered":"Butterbean claims Jake Paul sparked rivalry by trash-talking him when he was 500lb and confined to a wheelchair"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Eric \u2018Butterbean\u2019 Esch believes that his feud with Jake Paul began when the YouTuber-turned-boxer trash talked him at his lowest ebb.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following his win over Nate Robinson<\/a> on the undercard of Mike Tyson<\/a> and Roy Jones Jr\u2019s<\/a> exhibition in 2020, Paul was compared to Butterbean by a reporter in his post-fight press conference. But he seemed almost offended by the comparison, telling anyone comparing the two to \u2018f\u2014 off\u2019.<\/p>\n

At the time, Esch was tipping the scales at 500lb \u2013 on the occasion that he could even step on to them while getting off his wheelchair. But now having lost 220lb, he wants to face Paul as he eyes a ring return after launching his own Butterbean flavor<\/a> of the new Lucky Energy drink<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Butterbean explains the origins of Jake Paul feud<\/p>\n

For years, Butterbean<\/a> has been insisting that he could beat Jake Paul<\/a> if the pair were to fight. He watched on as the social media star defeated his contemporary Mike Tyson last year, but still insists he could win if the pair were to meet.<\/p>\n

And speaking with Bloody Elbow editor Jordan Ellis<\/a> in an exclusive chat, he explained: \u201cI called him out a long time ago, and he just didn\u2019t want to respond\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Esch at the time was wheelchair-bound and couldn\u2019t walk, much less train for a boxing comeback. He is now considerably lighter, and believes he can fight again now he\u2019s at a lower weight than he was during his boxing peak.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe talked trash about me when I was in a wheelchair,\u201d Esch continued. \u201cI didn\u2019t believe in myself. I couldn\u2019t do nothing about it. Once I got that feeling and was able to do stuff again, I thought, \u2018I\u2019m going to shut him up for good\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Butterbean is confident he can defeat Jake Paul after losing 220lb<\/p>\n

Now in the shape of his life, Butterbean truly believes he can be the man to knock out Paul and eliminate him from boxing. \u201cI\u2019m full training just ready for Jake when he accepts my fight,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs to fight somebody that can punch. Yeah, I\u2019m a little bit older than most the guys, but because I\u2019ve been down for so long, I\u2019m back up and I\u2019m in better shape than I ever was in my 20s. I know I can beat him, and he thinks he can beat me. <\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what would make a great fight. He has come a long way since he started. When he started, he was horrible, he was bad. He\u2019s actually come along a little better, but he\u2019s still not fighting the caliber of fighters I am. Hopefully, he takes my challenge, steps up the competition, and fights me.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n