Butterbean Reveals Struggle Against Sex Addiction And Obesity After Retiring From Boxing World

Butterbean, aka Eric Esch, has been addicted to sex (photo: Doc. dailymail)

JAKARTA - A former heavyweight boxer who is widely known as Butterbean, but has Eric Esch's real name, openly reveals his long struggle against sex addiction and obesity after retiring from the boxing ring. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, the 58-year-old told the dark side of his life behind fame.

Butterbean, known as an icon in the world of boxing and entertainment because of his impetus body and aggressive fighting style, acknowledged that sudden fame in the 1990s and early 2000s exacerbated sexual addiction which had plagued him for a long time. He said that feelings of being rejected in childhood due to his large body, as well as sudden increase in popularity, were also the main triggers.

"I've been married for a long time and I've always loved my wife, but it's a thing I've always had a hard time dealing with," Butterbean said. "Right now, I'm fine. I'm confident in myself now. I'm a good kid now."

Despite being involved in an affair, he still maintains his household with his wife, Total Esch. They were blessed with three children, including two men who had entered the mixed martial arts world (MMA), even though none had reached 400 pounds of body weight as Butterbean had achieved during his active competition.

In old photos, Butterbean is seen with his wife who he calls a very valuable figure in his life. Their struggle as a couple through difficult times is proof of family determination in the midst of a storm.

Known as "King of the Four-Rounders", Butterbean started his career at the Toughman Contest, an amateur boxing tournament with safer rules. His career climbed to a professional level, and was even given the championship belt by promoter Bob Arum for the revised super heavyweight division which is actually not official in the boxing world.

Although he never beat the top boxer, and had lost to former world champion Larry Holmes in 2002, Butterbean remained a popular figure in the media, including in the world of entertainment wrestling. However, his fame was unable to prevent a drastic drop in his health. His weight had crossed 500 pounds (more than 225 kg), and he even had to use a wheelchair to move.

"I couldn't walk, I couldn't go to the shop just to buy drinks," he recalled. "I was depressed. I was in bed for almost a year... just woke up to go to the bathroom. I ate in bed. I really never got out of bed."

However, Butterbean's life began to change when he met wrestling legend Diamond Dallas Page (DDP). Through DDP's yoga program, Butterbean managed to lose more than 90 kilograms of weight and now feels healthier than when he was in his 20s.

"I moved to DDP's house for a while, followed his yoga program, and now I'm in the best condition of my entire life," said Butterbean. "I feel much better in my 50s than when I was young. I seem to find a spring young."

Despite retiring, Butterbean still has one desire to return to the ring: against controversial star Jake Paul.

"Butterbean is back for the last fight," he said in a video on social media. "There's only one fighter out there who likes to fight a bald old man. I came for you. I want to fight Jake Paul because he talks too much."

Jake Paul himself had previously fought Mike Tyson who was also 58 years old at the time.

Butterbean's life journey is a story about falling and rising. From childhood full of ridicule, glory in the ring, to adversity due to addiction and obesity, now he has risen back as a healthier, stronger, and wiser figure.