Spring Premier Auction 2016
Wed, Apr 6, 2016 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Apr 24, 2016 11:00AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 1263
ERIC "BUTTERBEAN" ESCH'S SIGNED 3/4/2000 WAA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BELT (BUTTERBEAN COLLECTION)
Unsold
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From the personal collection of Eric Esch better known as Butterbean comes his prized World Athletic Association (WAA) World Heavyweight Championship boxing belt which he has autographed. The 5'11" 400-plus pound boxer raised in Alabama emerged from obscurity in the early 1990s 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 defend that title five times including March 3 2000 at Mandalay Bay when he knocked out George Linberger in 19 seconds to claim the WAA World Heavyweight Championship crown. 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.
The green leather belt with Velcro straps features a large oval centerpiece made of a gold-colored Pewter-like material designed with two boxers two feathers and a crown on top lined with green and crystal faux stones. At center is a ceramic-like buckle in green white and gold colors with "WORLD ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CHAMPION" arched around "WAA" in the middle. 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 51" long and weighs 5.6 lbs. It presents NM-MT. This piece is sure to attract attention and turn heads wherever it ends up. It captures one of the finest individual boxing achievements from 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.
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