Butterbean Returns on Friday the 13th

By Matt Thompson

For the first time in two and half years, the infamous Eric “Butterbean” Esch (77-8-4, 58 KOs) of Jasper, Alabama will step into the ring Friday night to take on Louisville native Curt Allan (7-1-1, 3 KOs) in a four round heavyweight rematch of their bout that took place 15 years ago at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on the PPV undercard of Oscar De La Hoya’s junior welterweight title defense against Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Butterbean won that bout by 3rd round TKO and Allan hopes tomorrow to upset the popular rotund fighter.

The rematch is at the Horseshoe Casino in Elizabeth, Indiana on a show that is a benefit for Allan’s former trainer Larry Alvey, who is suffering from cancer.

Allan, age 46, who is not only fighting on the show, but promoting the show, has not fought since 1999 and said that despite the charitable nature of the show, he does not intend on being charitable to his opponent inside the ring.

“This show is a benefit for my dear friend and trainer Larry Alvey,” Allan said. “I have no illusions of this being some George Foreman like comeback. The only way I was ever going to come back and fight again was if it was something big and for a good cause. This accomplished both. I get to do a good thing for my friend Larry and avenge my only career loss to Butterbean.”

Butterbean agrees with the good natured sentiment of the show as a whole, but also is confident in victory.

“The show’s for a good cause and is going to be a good time for all, except maybe Curt Allan,” said The Bean. “I beat him once and I’ll beat him again.”

The undercard features rising prospects and evenly matched fighters from the Indiana and Kentucky region. Undefeated heavyweight Alexis Santos (4-0, 3 KOs) of Lawrence, Massachusetts will meet Jason Harbin (0-2) of Tennessee. Dan Crabtree (2-3, 2 KOs) of Hilliard, Ohio will take on Aaron Lucky (0-2) of Anderson, Indiana in a welterweight scrap. In junior welterweight action, Louisville’s own Thaddeus Hamlin (0-1) will meet William Bokhart (0-6) of Indiana in a battle of fighters vying for their first career win. In a heavyweight bout, Jeremiah Williams (0-8) of Cincinnati and Justin Novaria (0-4) of Columbus will look to do the same in a battle of cross-state Ohio residents. Also featured on the show are : light heavyweights Steven Schmitt (1-0) vs. Nathan Wilkes (2-23-1, 2 KOs); cruiserweights Brandon Bennett (0-4) vs. Junior Anthony Wright (1-0, 1 KO); and a light heavyweight rematch between Joe Howard (1-12-1, 1 KO) and James Morrow (11-18-3, 5 KOs).

Tickets are available at the Horseshoe Casino box office in Elizabeth, Indiana or via Ticketmaster. The event is called “A Tribute to Larry Alvey.”

January 12th, 2012

For all the latest boxing news, click here.