BOXING legend “Butterbean” was forced to reject a fight with Mike Tyson while in a “dark place”.
But after coming down from 35 STONE the heavyweight – real name Eric Scott Esch – is ready to return to the ring.
Butterbean is ready to fight Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson made a shock boxing return in November 2020
And Butterbean has old pal Tyson as his No1 target, with YouTube star-turned boxer Jake Paul a close second.
He told SunSport: “I’m not a typical boxer, I go out there to fight, I want to knock somebody out. Jake Paul or Mike Tyson.
“Jake Paul runs his mouth too much, he’s never fought nobody, I would love to fight him.
“But I think people would like to see me and Tyson go at it, which would be a hell of a draw.
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“Me and Tyson are actually friends but I don’t mind fighting friends.”
Paul, 25, is currently 5-0 and yet to face a recognised boxer but is lined up to fight 8-0 Tommy Fury, 23, on August 6 in New York.
Meanwhile Tyson, 55, in November 2020 made a shock boxing comeback in an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr, 53.
Butterbean was also approached, but the American had no choice other than to reject as he battled depression.
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But now, having had four months of training under the watchful eye of ex-WWE star Diamond Dallas Page, the KO king is ready to fight.
Butterbean, 55, said: “I was in that dark place. There was no way it was possible.
“I’m alive right now, I’m good to go. And Mike is in great shape, it would be a hell of a fight.
“We’d both come to fight, Mike ain’t going to run from me. That’s where his big mistake would be.
“I sparred Buster Mathis a lot, so I know Tyson’s style.”
Butterbean, who also had wrestling and MMA stints, last boxed in 2013.
And it retirement, he began piling on the pounds and revealed he was as heavy as 500lb, 35 STONE.
But this year, Butterbean signed up for a reality TV docuseries, joined by five others who are being coached by Page.
And on a gluten and dairy free diet, which consists of low-carb and high-protein meals, the famed puncher has transformed himself.
Butterbean cannot reveal his exact weight loss – due to TV show contract he signed – but hailed Page for saving his career and life.
He said: “I went through a stage where I was looking at the end of my life – not that I was going to kill myself.
“But in my life I was getting down, I was way overweight and just feeling down. I didn’t know if I had a couple of years to live or not.
“I took a challenge to accept a docuseries or a reality show with Diamond Dallas Page and I’ve been here the past four months.
“And it’s given me more energy and life since I was fighting regularly. But now, I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life.
“I’m at my lowest weight right now than I’ve ever been – I’ve never fought at this weight as a matter of fact.”
Butterbean last fought in 2013
