Lennox Lewis vs. Butterbean, TVKO, April 29, 2000: The First Undisputed Title Defense This was a widely anticipated fight, though it didn't exactly live up to the hype in terms of competitive boxing. The event was a bit of a "freak show" in terms of expectations, but it was an interesting spectacle nonetheless. Here's a breakdown of the buildup, the night of the fight, and its aftermath. Buildup & Promotion: Main PPV Name: "Lennox Lewis vs. Butterbean: The First Undisputed Title Defense" was the formal title, though the event was marketed with a tone that suggested it would be a spectacle rather than a competitive fight. The term "freak show" was often used in the buildup. The Fighters: Lennox Lewis was the reigning undisputed heavyweight champion, having unified the titles after defeating Evander Holyfield in November 1999. Butterbean (Eric Esch), known for his body type and unorthodox boxing style, was mostly famous for his novelty appeal in the ring, having a reputation as a "tough man" fighter. The pairing of these two was seen by many as a mismatch and was mainly about the spectacle, not a serious competition. Marketing & Low Buys: With the fight being such an odd matchup, many fans and experts considered it more of a sideshow than a legitimate title defense. As a result, the PPV numbers were disappointing, with a low buy rate, especially for a fighter of Lennox Lewis' stature. The February 2000 promotion period failed to capture the attention of a large audience, likely due to skepticism about the fight's competitiveness. Bob Arum & The Setup: Legendary promoter Bob Arum played a role in orchestrating the fight, though his intentions were questioned given the odd nature of the pairing. Many thought it was an easy defense for Lewis to maintain his undisputed champion status, while Butterbean’s presence was more about drawing attention than creating a competitive matchup. Fight Night (April 29, 2000) Location: The fight took place at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, an iconic venue known for hosting many major fights. Broadcasting Team: Jim Lampley (Play-by-play): Lampley, the longtime voice of HBO boxing, called the action with his usual professionalism, though the absurdity of the fight clearly left him a bit incredulous. Larry Merchant (Commentary): Known for his critical, no-nonsense approach, Merchant made it clear he found the matchup less than thrilling, often poking fun at the spectacle. George Foreman (Color Commentator): Foreman, while mostly respectful of both fighters, made his doubts known, often offering a mix of humor and analysis, emphasizing how out of place Butterbean was in this contest. Celebrities & Entrance Music: Lennox Lewis’ Entrance: Lewis entered with his usual pomp, perhaps to balance out the oddity of the fight, and his entrance music reflected the grandeur of his undisputed champion status. He came out with a serious look, ready for business. Butterbean’s Entrance: Butterbean, ever the entertainer, came out with his usual quirky, jovial demeanor. His music was lighthearted and comedic, underscoring the difference in tone between the two competitors. The Fight: Round 1: Lewis came out cautiously, establishing his superior size and technique. Butterbean was immediately overwhelmed by Lewis' jab, which kept him at a distance. Butterbean tried to close the gap but was unable to land anything of consequence. Round 2: Butterbean briefly showed some aggression but was soon outclassed by Lewis' clean punches. Lewis dropped Butterbean with a clean right hand. Round 3: After a few more one-sided exchanges, Lewis knocked out Butterbean, securing a straightforward victory. The fight lasted less than three rounds, with Lewis confirming his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion. Aftermath & Impact: George Foreman’s Thoughts: Post-fight, Foreman summed it up perfectly, suggesting that the fight was little more than a mismatch, though he was diplomatic about it. He understood why it had happened but knew it wasn't one for the history books. Larry Merchant’s Critique: As expected, Larry Merchant took a jab at the absurdity of the fight and questioned the logic of such a matchup for someone like Lewis, who had proven himself against real contenders. Low Buyrate Impact: Despite the mainstream attention and media coverage of the bizarre matchup, the pay-per-view numbers were low, with many boxing fans boycotting the event due to its lack of competitive integrity. IBF Superheavyweight Title: The bout also featured the IBA Superheavyweight Title, which was not considered a prestigious title and added to the farcical nature of the contest. TVKO and Its Impact: TVKO, a part of HBO’s sports programming, aired the event and was criticized for promoting a fight that lacked serious interest from the boxing community. The idea of pairing a legitimate champion like Lennox Lewis with a fighter like Butterbean for a title defense was seen as an attempt to cash in on the novelty of the matchup. James Brown & Celebrity Appearances: Singer James Brown performed during the event, adding to the circus-like atmosphere of the fight. His involvement was more about providing entertainment than any direct connection to the athletes. Other celebrities, including a mix of athletes and actors, attended the event, but their presence did little to elevate the legitimacy of the fight. Concluding Thoughts: The fight is mostly remembered as a strange footnote in heavyweight boxing. Lennox Lewis went on to successfully defend his undisputed heavyweight title against more serious opponents, but this fight with Butterbean remains one of the more bizarre moments in the sport’s history. It was a spectacle, not a true boxing contest, and serves as an example of a fight that went wrong in terms of both promotion and public reception.
