Eric Esch (Butterbean) The Best Fighter You'd Give Him Odds Over?

Truthfully Russell, I wouldn't give Eric Esch the benefit of the doubt against any world beater in the prime of their career. A 52 year old Holmes who was 20 years past his best, and 10 years past beating a ranked contender, schooled him more than convincingly. There were even a few "C" and "D" level fighters who beat him as well. Leon Spinks in 1978, with only 7 or 8 pro fights under his belt, would have had my vote to beat the bean.

Of course, there is never any guarantee that when you take a very large man with a big punch, that he's destined to lose, but at the same time, we have to look at these things with a certain degree of probablity. And, frankly, Butterbean was an overhyped novelty with very minimal boxing talent or none at all.....

 

Okay, I'll admit to skimming through your post without actually taking time to fully review its contents....

Bean would have lost to Bobby Crabtree...

 

I grew up watching him get his ass kicked regulary, but I also saw Bean get dusted in two rounds by 1-7 Mitch Rose, and virtually never saw him in a fight that was scheduled for more than 4 rounds. So let's not talk about things like skill, stamina and chin......If Bean ever defeated a fighter that was better than Crabtree, or even at his level for that matter, then I surely must have missed it..

 

I would pick him to possibly beat Zuri Lawrence.

 

Alonzo Highsmith. Maybe.

 

Butterbean's power is sooo overrated.

What's underrated is his handspeed.

 

Holmes was a very, very tricky fighter. Those type of fighters can last a while like Moore, Walcott etc.

 

Little bit of both. Holmes was no world class fighter at that age, don't get me wrong, but he's better than the vast majority of former champs at 50.

Although Losing to a 50 year old man regardless of how good he is at that age is still a disgrace

For the topic though, I'd probably have to go with Hurricane Mcneeley, he's about the best guy he'd knock out. He'd have a shot against most B level fighters with shaky jaws and slow feet though.

 

I think Esch has a good shot at beating Marciano.

 

I like Butterbean over Ed "Too Tall " Jones and Mark Gastineau...two "D" level fighters with big names.

 

He could either beat both those men, or get smoked by both of them...