Jake Paul’s boxing career continues to be defined by spectacle, surprise, and scrutiny—and the latest twist may be the most surreal yet. Just days after defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Paul has been publicly challenged by Eric “Butterbean” Esch, the 58-year-old former heavyweight sensation known for his knockout power and colorful presence in the ring.
The callout came during an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s Uncrowned show, where Butterbean didn’t mince words: he wants to fight Paul—and he believes he can knock him out. The bizarre proposal reignites criticism surrounding Paul’s choice of opponents, many of whom are either far past their prime or come from outside traditional boxing circles.
“I want to fight Jake really bad. When I was in my wheelchair, Jake said some very nasty things about me,” Butterbean said. “When I started getting back in shape, I thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to push myself until I’m able to knock him out—and guess what? Here I am.’”
Grudge, comeback, and controversy
Butterbean’s motivation goes beyond showmanship. For him, this isn’t just about stepping into the spotlight one more time—it’s personal. He sees the fight as a form of redemption, both for himself and for those who have questioned Paul’s legitimacy as a professional boxer.
“I hit a lot harder than those guys Jake’s fought,” he added. “That’s why it would be such a good fight. I’ll be honest—the Tyson fight, I think, was the biggest lie. Just because a guy is older doesn’t mean he can’t knock Jake out. I know I can.”
The comments are sure to fuel debate in the boxing world. Paul, often criticized for facing aging opponents or crossover fighters, now faces the optics of potentially taking on a challenger nearly 60 years old—albeit one who was once one of the sport’s most entertaining punchers.
Butterbean: “I know I can knock him out”
Butterbean, whose last professional fight was in 2013, has been gradually working his way back into shape and says he’s ready to compete. His confidence, despite the long layoff, hasn’t wavered.
“It would be a good fight. I think it’d be competitive,” he said. “But I know I can take him. He thinks he can take me, and that’s what would make it exciting: me knowing I can knock him out, and him thinking he can knock me out.”
While it’s unlikely this matchup becomes official anytime soon, Butterbean’s challenge underscores a larger narrative that continues to follow Jake Paul: the tension between showbiz and sport. For now, the 27-year-old social media star remains undefeated in terms of attention—and that may be all the motivation Butterbean needs.