So, seriously... Butterbean's power...

Given that every guy he's ever beaten was a tomato can, it's difficult to give his power a rating.

 

I gave you a serious answer. The guy fought tomato Cans. While McNeeley may have at least qualified for journeyman status, he was no ringer. And, if that's the best win that Esch has in 70+ victories, then you can't say much for his power, skills, abilities or whatever.

 

Isn't McNeeley the ATG who gave Tyson a shellacking bfore he got downed for the count ?

 

I bet if his punch landed on any chin of any heavyweight, he would knock them out.

 

He hits very hard.

So do many super-heavy powerlifters, obese bouncers and local fat bully-boys.

But to translate into success in a boxing ring, you need to match them with completely inept and harmless desperate opponents, and tell those opponents there's a bonus for losing.

 

Had he knocked out, floored or stunned fighters who were known to have solid chins, good stamina, top conditioning etc. Then his power would be more measurable. However, to fight guys who were tomato cans, club fighters, novices and bums with mostly losing records, doesn't tell us anything. Also, despite his horribly weak competition, 19 of those guys still managed to go the distance.

 

The only people below the likes of Esch and McNeeley in the 'ranks' of pro boxing are the career tankers and 'stunt men' and the desperate fat tomato cans and cannon fodder with heart disease who shouldn't even be licensed to fight the real professionals.
The dark underside of pro boxing.

 

Considering what the guy fought, it really isn't that good either.

 

I think so. There was a FBI investigation and sting operation that uncovered a few fixes and attempted fixes, including some stuff relating to Butterbean fights. Even a fighter who beat Esch claims he was bribed to lose, but refused.

Not that any evidence is required. Let's not fool ourselves. Fixes are rife in boxing. Tomato cans are paid to lose. I've seen fighters flop at the mere suggestion of a punch, and guess what ? The tomato can doing the "dive" shows up a few months later fighting another "prospect".
Taking dives is still a common career move for the less fortunate members of the boxing fraternity.