Eric 'Butterbean' Esch has predicted Jake Paul and Mike Tyson will never fight
Boxing icon Eric 'Butterbean' Esch has branded the proposed fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson a "scam." It was back in March that a matchup between social media star Paul and former world heavyweight champion Tyson was announced.
The bout - a first of its kind to be streamed live on Netflix - was initially set for July 20. Bit it had to be postponed after it was reported Tyson, 58, suffered complications with a stomach ulcer while flying.
The fight was rebooked for November 15, though concerns remain due to Tyson's fitness and the pair's substantial age gap. Nevertheless, Butterbean has expressed unshakeable certainty that the contest with Paul - 31 years Tyson's junior - won't come to fruition and was never intended to.
"Him and Tyson are never gonna fight," said combat king Butterbean during a talk at the Georgia Pop and Horror Con (via The Mirror). "That has been a scam from the very beginning just to boost Jake's name - and it has!
"This guy, everybody's talking about him. But he's never gonna fight Tyson. They were never planning on fighting each other, because a promoter would never let him fight anyone else in between a fight. Never - not that big a fight. So, it's been a scam from the beginning."
The former heavyweight professional, with a pro boxing record of 77-10-4, recently tabled his own £1.5million offer to take on Paul in the ring. Ex-Disney actor Paul previously bulked up for his initial July date against Tyson, only to shed weight again for a showdown with former UFC fighter Mike Perry last month.
Butterbean has offered to face Paul himself (Image: tiktok/butterbeankingof4round)
Paul made relatively easy work of the bare knuckle champion before securing a sixth-round stoppage win. Butterbean, also 58, then followed up with his own seven-figure offer to box Paul, although he has since revealed he's yet to receive a reply.
"Hey Jake Paul, would you fight me for $2m? Winner takes all," said Esch on TikTok. The cult fighter claimed 57 of his 77 boxing victories via knockout, and many boxing fans might relish the idea of him taking on 'The Problem Child' next.
Tyson shared a series of videos documenting his rigorous preparations to return to fighting shape earlier this year. However, there were still significant doubts about whether he'd be able to endure eight two-minute rounds, as has been scheduled for his clash with Paul.
