Eric Esch
A nearly 400-pound knockout artist from Alabama who became an unlikely cult figure in combat sports, famous for his crushing power and unmistakable appearance.
Born 1966 (age 60)·American boxer, mixed martial artist and professional wrestler·Birthday: August 3·Generation X
Biography
Eric Esch, forever known as 'Butterbean,' carved a unique and unforgettable path through the world of fighting. An Alabama native who worked in a factory and as a bouncer, he got his start by winning the Toughman Contest, a brutal amateur boxing competition. His massive frame, shaved head, and goatee made him a visual spectacle, and promoters quickly realized his marketability. He turned professional in 1994, compiling a record built largely on first-round knockouts of overmatched opponents, and held minor heavyweight titles. Butterbean's appeal transcended traditional boxing; he became a staple of novelty fights, Japanese kickboxing events, and even professional wrestling, where his sheer presence was the main event. While never a top-tier contender, his career is a testament to the power of personality in sports entertainment, making him a beloved figure for fans who appreciated his straightforward, concussive approach.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Eric was born in 1966, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eric Was Born
The biggest hits of 1966
#1 Movie
The Bible: In the Beginning
Best Picture
A Man for All Seasons
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Eric's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1966Born
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1971Started school
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1979Became a teenager
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Could drive
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1984Could vote
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Turned 21
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1996Turned 30
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 40
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 50
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 60
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Toughman Contest world championship in 1993, launching his fighting career.
- Held the World Athletic Association (WAA) heavyweight and IBA super heavyweight boxing championships.
- Achieved a professional boxing record of 77 wins, with 58 knockouts, over a 21-year career.
- Competed in K-1 kickboxing and mixed martial arts, fighting for the Pride FC organization in Japan.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Butterbean' was given to him by a police officer friend due to his fondness for the large, butter-soaked lima beans.
He worked as a corrections officer before becoming a full-time fighter.
He made a cameo appearance in the film 'Jackass: The Movie.'
He lost over 100 pounds after retiring from fighting due to health concerns.
“I'm not a boxer. I'm a fighter. There's a difference.”
