**Boxing Veteran Butterbean Eyes Comeback, Targets John and Tyson Fury**
In a surprising twist set to ignite interest in the boxing world, former heavyweight sensation Eric ‘Butterbean’ Esch has issued a bold challenge to John Fury—father of recent heavyweight champion Tyson Fury—with the intent of using him as a “warm-up” before chasing a clash against Tyson himself.
Butterbean, now aged 58, is contemplating a dramatic return to professional boxing after more than a decade out of the ring. With an illustrious fighting record that includes 77 wins (57 by knockout), 10 defeats, and 4 draws, the American brawler last fought in 2013, bowing out after a TKO defeat to Kirk Lawton. Renowned in his heyday for his imposing physique—regularly tipping the scales between 300 and 400lbs—Butterbean’s retirement years were marked by significant challenges, including a period in which his weight soared past 500lbs and he was confined to a wheelchair.
Speaking candidly about his journey back to health, Butterbean explains that he endured severe depression and mobility issues that kept him bedridden for close to a year. However, the former boxer has since managed to lose a remarkable amount of weight, now standing at a considerably slimmer 280lbs. This transformation, he says, has inspired his late-career ambitions: “I’m in the best shape of my life right now. I feel better at 58 than I did in my twenties, which is insane. I can’t explain it, but it’s like I’ve found my own Fountain of Youth,” Butterbean shared, crediting much of the progress to the intensive yoga programme by ‘Diamond’ Dallas Page.
Butterbean’s return to fitness has rekindled his competitive fire, leading him to express a keen interest in facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Nevertheless, his attention soon turned to the Fury clan. “I’d love to fight Tyson Fury,” Butterbean told Mirror Fighting, before making it clear he viewed John Fury as a logical first step: “I’d fight the old man first, beat him up, slap him around pretty good. Then I’d want to beat the son up pretty bad. His dad would be an easy fight—a couple rounds, just to have some fun and get ready for Tyson. It’d be a warm-up.”
Such statements will no doubt fuel speculation and debate among boxing fans. Notably, Butterbean claimed that talks regarding a potential bout with John Fury had taken place in the past, though they failed to materialise. “It’s been a while, but I’d love to fight John or Tyson. Now that I believe in myself and know I’m in great shape, I’m confident I can hit my goals.”
John Fury, though never reaching the same heights as his celebrated son, had a respectable career of his own, logging a record of eight wins, four losses and a single draw between 1987 and 1995. While his fighting pedigree pales against Tyson’s, John has remained a vocal and visible figure in the sport, often featuring alongside his son in the build-up to major bouts.
The Fury family has dominated headlines in recent years, particularly as Tyson Fury suffered back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. In those matches, Fury narrowly lost his WBC title in a split decision and then again by unanimous verdict in the rematch, effectively relinquishing his grasp on undisputed heavyweight glory. Following these losses, Tyson announced his retirement from professional boxing earlier this year, while Usyk subsequently went on to consolidate his legacy with a high-profile knockout win over Daniel Dubois.
Butterbean’s ambitions arrive at a time of transition for the heavyweight scene, with legacy, generations, and entertainment value all at play. There has been no official response yet from either John or Tyson Fury regarding Butterbean’s challenge, but the prospect of such high-profile bouts—whether viewed as genuine competition or box office spectacle—is sure to polarise public opinion.
Fans and pundits alike will now watch with interest to see if Butterbean’s desire for not one, but two fights with the Fury family, moves any closer to reality. If negotiations do gain traction, these prospective matches would stand as one of boxing’s more unusual showdowns—pitting nostalgia, rivalry, and the ongoing unpredictability of the sport against each other.
Butterbean revealed his comeback aspirations in association with Lucky Energy, who are backing his renewed journey in and out of the ring. For now, his vocal call-out has certainly succeeded in grabbing the attention of the boxing world, setting the stage for what could be a memorable final chapter in a colourful career.