Eric Ash is a famous American heavyweight boxer, better known by the nickname Butterbin. Professionals predicted that the impressive weight would interfere with the athlete, but he turned his physique into a major advantage, successfully acting as a kickboxer, wrestler, wrestler and even a sumo wrestler.
Childhood and youth
The biography of the future athlete was quite consistent with Hollywood scenarios. Eric was born in 1966 in Atlanta. When the boy was 4 years old, the family moved to Michigan, to the small town of St. John's, and after another 10 years moved to Alabama.
At the age of eight, Eric lost his mother, who died from a serious illness. The family did not have enough money, and little attention was paid to the growing child. Overweight became another problem - an overweight and well-fed teenager was constantly bullied at school. Ash later admitted that these years were truly painful, but they helped the future athlete to temper his character.
Learning has never been Eric's forte. After graduating from school, he did not even think about college, working wherever he had to to provide for himself and his family.
Sports career
Ash got into professional boxing thanks to a lucky chance. While working part time at a flooring factory, the guy accidentally found out about an amateur tournament where anyone could take part. No special training was required. Ash has always loved sports, but doubted he could compete with experienced boxers. In addition, there were no shortcomings in those wishing to report that the fat loser would not last even one round. Eric decided to take a chance and made the right decision: the first fight determined his future career.
Before the competition, the future boxing star had to go on a strict protein diet. The rules prescribed a weight of no more than 181 kg, and Eric at that time weighed 188. In record time, Ash got rid of excess weight and took part in the tournament, becoming its winner. For 2 days of competition, an unknown beginner knocked out 4 opponents and became a real star.
The first competitions helped the novice athlete to believe in himself. Eric took part in 4 more tournaments without ever being defeated. In 1991, the rising star became interested in manager Art Dor, who taught Ash the basics of professional boxing. Eric successfully honed his technique, while participating in amateur fights of various levels. In the process of work, it turned out that Ash is able to knock out quickly and powerfully, but he cannot do long exhausting fights. Together with his manager, the boxer developed a scheme: box no more than 6 rounds and try to finish the fight as quickly and effectively as possible. At the same time, the athlete competently built his image. Fans remembered him in the image of a good-natured in life, but absolutely ruthless in the ring, a giant super heavyweight in shorts in the color of the American flag.
The debut in the professional ring took place in 1994. By that time, Batterby was already well known, his second fight in the professional league was broadcast on national television. Ash himself was embarrassed by the close attention of cameras and journalists, but in the ring he completely focused on boxing.
The athlete strictly adhered to the rule: try to complete the fight in 4 rounds, ending the fight with a spectacular knockout. This tactic paid off: until 2002, Ash won almost all tournaments, having suffered only 2 defeats. The boxer formed a club of fans who extolled the "King of the Four Rounds" in every possible way. Butterbin's trademark move was a powerful right hand, which knocked out not only beginners, but also titled opponents.
Eric did not limit himself to boxing, trying his hand at other sports. In an interview, Ash noted that kickboxing was especially difficult for him: out of 7 fights, he won 4, losing to his opponent three times. The athlete experimented with wrestling, wrestling and even sumo. The impressive weight and excellent athletic form helped to win. Later, Eric admitted: it was very difficult for him to work without the proper distance with the enemy. However, good fees were everything: the main motivation for a professional athlete was the high earnings needed by the family.
Ash completed his professional sports career in 2013. The reason was health problems due to numerous injuries received in the ring. Today, the former athlete is successfully running a business, owning several popular Mr. Bean BBQ eateries.
Personal life
Ash got married quite early, by the age of 18 he had two sons: Brandon and Caleb. Later, a daughter, Grace, appeared in the family. Eric recalled that it was the family that helped him quickly enter the professional boxing ring and take place in sports. The boxer knew that he simply could not lose: the welfare of his wife and children depended on his victories.
The grown sons followed in their father's footsteps: Caleb and Brandon became professional boxers. Ash himself also keeps fit: he does push-ups on his fists every day, goes to the gym and maintains the ideal weight for his category. The athlete's favorite dish is chicken breast with a vegetable side dish. Eric leads a healthy lifestyle, does not smoke and is not addicted to alcohol. In his free time, the boxer reads a lot, preferring science fiction and adventure novels by Jules Verne.
Ash's other hobby is cinema. He loves action films and comedies, enjoys watching popular TV shows. Eric himself made a contribution to art, starring in a cameo role in the movie "Freaks". His image has been used more than once by the creators of computer games and cartoons. The athlete participated in entertaining TV shows 7 times and received many letters from fans.
