Butterbean confirms Logan Paul and Jake Paul stance after £1.5million fight offer

Butterbean has voiced his vastly differing stances on Logan Paul and brother Jake Paul – branding the latter a “tool”. The boxing icon did not mince his words when taking aim at the younger Paul, but revealed he is a fan of Logan and his wrestling ability.

Hailing from Westlake, Ohio, the Paul brothers now rank among the biggest names in combat sports and sports entertainment today. Having first gained a huge following through their skits online as teenagers, Jake has since catapulted to the forefront of the professional boxing scene. Meanwhile Logan, who himself fought Floyd Mayweather Jr and KSI in the ring, is signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

Eric Esch – more commonly known as 'Butterbean' – is no stranger to the world of combat himself, having established an extraordinary track record in the '90s and early 2000s of 77 victories and only 10 defeats, amassing a global fanbase thanks in part to his astounding weight of 515lbs at his peak. The 58-year-old recently indicated his intention to make a comeback after a remarkable weightloss journey.

Beyond boxing, Esch also dabbled in MMA from 1995 to 2011, along with the odd WWE (then WWF) appearance back in the '90s. And despite the Paul brothers both being involved in combat sports, the veteran's opinion of the pair varies significantly.

Asked if there's a wrestler who currently excites him during a live Q&A at Georgia Pop and Horror Con, Butterbean said: "Jake's a tool, don't get me wrong, but Logan wrestling wise is really coming along. I'll be honest, nothing against him but Jake is a different story – I don't care for him. Logan is a really talented wrestler."

Logan, 29, signed with WWE in June 2022 after making his debut as The Miz's tag team partner at WrestleMania 38 two months prior. He became a free agent, allowing him to appear on both Raw and SmackDown, before clinching the WWE United States Championship in November 2023.

Meanwhile, Butterbean shares some history with Logan’s 27-year-old brother Jake. Ever since making his pro boxing debut in January 2020 against internet personality AnEsonGib, Jake has repeatedly taken on and defeated aged former stars from the world of combat sport.

He bested big UFC names like Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren. But that has opened him up to criticism from those accusing him of not being a serious boxer – something he responded to by taking a jab at Butterbean.

Explaining their feud last year, Butterbean said: "I'd love to fight Jake Paul but he's too smart to fight me. I'm not saying he's a coward or anything like that but I would destroy him. I think he knows.

"I hit way too hard for him. He made a statement a while back about me, saying 'I'm not like Butterbean. I'm not a joke.' Ever since then I've wanted to fight him just to show him."

Butterbean even called out Jake earlier this year by labelling his much-anticipated fight with Mike Tyson a "scam". The blockbuster showdown was initially set for July but was rescheduled to November 15 after Tyson developed a stomach ulcer, though Butterbean claims they have no real plans to ever face off.

He also threw down a $2million (£1.5m) gauntlet to 'The Problem Child' on social media, stating: "Hey Jake Paul, would you fight me for $2m? Winner takes all." Further ramping up the challenge on TikTok, he pressed: "Jake Paul, what you waiting on? Are we gonna do this or what?” The video alongside that also saw him demonstrate his formidable punching skills on a heavy bag.

Still, Esch must wait until after Paul's bout with Tyson takes place as the fight becomes the first of its kind to be streamed live on Netflix. YouTube star Paul took on 'Platinum' Mike Perry in the meantime earlier this year, where he secured a sixth-round TKO against the Bare Knuckle FC star.