From the personal collection of Eric Esch, better known as Butterbean, comes this '1999 Fight Night for Children' charity boxing belt, which he has autographed. The 5'11", 400-plus pound boxer raised in Alabama emerged from obscurity in the early 1990’s by winning five World Toughman Competitions. He got the nickname "Butterbean" after being forced to go on a diet consisting mostly of chicken and butterbeans in order to meet the Toughman 400-lb. weight limit. In 1994, he won his professional boxing debut and began to garner a cult following as "King of the 4 Rounders.” He barnstormed around the country winning 51 straight fights at one point, including Peter McNeeley. Butterbean would eventually become the IBF world Super Heavyweight Champion in 1997 and the WAA World Heavyweight Champion in 2000. He later appeared in a few WWF events as his popularity grew, and in 2003 he began a string of several fights in Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts. Various TV shows and movie appearances (most notably, Jackass, when he fought Johnny Knoxville) have advanced his cult celebrity status. He last boxed in 2013 and has a career record of 77-10-4 with 58 knockouts.
On October 21, 1999 at the Washington Hilton in downtown D.C., the 10th annual Fight Night for Children charity event headlined Hector Macho Camacho on the Welterweight card and Butterbean on the Heavyweight card, both winning easily. The black leather belt with Velcro straps features a large oval centerpiece made of a gold-colored Pewter-like material designed with two feathers and a crown on top lined with red and crystal faux stones. At center is a white ceramic-like buckle with "FIGHT NIGHT 1999" and Fight for Children's charity logo. Two smaller mirror pieces flank the center buckle, with Butterbean's autograph on the left one in 9/10 black Sharpie. The back is padded with white wool-like material. The belt measures 49" long and weighs 6.6 lbs. It presents NM with some tarnishing to the metallic mirrors. This piece is sure to attract attention and turn heads wherever it ends up, capturing the spirit of a good old-fashioned American brawler who never missed a meal.
Includes Letter of Provenance from dealer who acquired the belt directly from Eric "Butterbean" Esch. Autograph pre-certified by PSA/DNA.