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International Boxing Hall of Fame 1 Hall of Fame Drive Canastota, NY 13032 P: 315.697.7095 F: 315.697.5356
“THE KING OF THE FOUR ROUNDERS” ERIC “BUTTERBEAN” ESCH
TO ATTEND 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Annual Hall of Fame Weekend celebration set for June 11-14
CANASTOTA, NY - MARCH 27, 2026 - The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce that “The King of the Four Rounders” Eric “Butterbean” Esch will attend the 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend set for June 11-14 in “Boxing’s Hometown.”
“During his career Butterbean was a fan favorite and his in-ring success led to pop culture stardom,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy. “We are thrilled that he will be in Canastota to take part in Hall of Fame Weekend events and interact with his fans.”
From Jasper, Alabama, Esch won multiple Toughman competitions before focusing on boxing. He turned pro in 1994 and over a 20-plus year career he boxed 91 times and scored 57 knockouts. His exciting fighting style and every-man appeal made him an instant star. He appeared on The Tonight Show, knocked out Johnny Knoxville in Jackass The Movie, appeared on Celebrity Family Feud and competed at WrestleMania. After retiring from competition, a combination of injuries, weight gain and age led to daily pain but with the help of WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page and his DDP Yoga program, Esch has lost over 200 pounds and is using his story to inspire others.
Class of 2026 inductees set to be in Canastota include boxers Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin, Nigel Benn, Antonio Tarver, Naoko Fujioka and Jackie Nava; trainer / cutman Russ Anber, physician Dr. Flip Homansky and journalist Kevin Iole.
Posthumous inductees to be honored include referee Frank Cappuccino, trainer / cut man Jimmy Glenn, broadcaster Alex Wallau and welterweight and middleweight star Jimmy Clabby.
In addition to Butterbean, an impressive array of boxing stars from around the world are set to be in Canastota including Marco Antonio Barrera, Mikey Garcia, Michael Spinks, Christy Martin, Erik Morales, Timothy Bradley Jr., Winky Wright, Jim Lampley, Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik, Vinny Paz, Kenny Bayless, “Jesse” James Leija, Jorge Linares, Buddy McGirt, Ray Mercer and Ruben Olivares.
The grand marshal of the Parade of Champions will be Sugar Ray Leonard and the 1976 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team, who will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Olympic Games. In addition to Leonard, gold medal winners Michael Spinks and Leo Randolph; silver medal winner Charles Mooney and team member Chuck Walker will be attending.
The 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend is scheduled for June 11-14. Many events will take place in Canastota and nearby Turning Stone Resort Casino throughout the four-day celebration including ringside talks, fist casting, fight night, 5K race / fun run, boxing autograph card show, banquet, parade and induction ceremony.
Click HERE for the 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend ticket order form.
For more information on the 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend, please call (315) 697-7095.
Connect with the International Boxing Hall of Fame through social media:
Facebook: @InternationalBoxingHallofFame
Instagram: @InternationalBoxingHallofFame
Twitter: @BoxingHall
About the International Boxing Hall of Fame
The International Boxing Hall of Fame opened to the public in 1989 and is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the great sport of boxing. Located in Canastota, New York, it serves as a tribute to the world's finest boxers and contributors to the sport, allowing boxing enthusiasts to appreciate and celebrate the rich history and tradition of boxing. The International Boxing Hall of Fame is located at Exit 34 of the New York State Thruway. Hours of operation are Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The multi-year partnership between Turning Stone Resort Casino and the International Boxing Hall of Fame spotlights the entire region, garnering national attention and boosting tourism in Central New York. The partnership includes a series of
nationally-televised boxing events at Turning Stone, culminating every year in June
with an elaborate and bigger-than-ever International Boxing Hall of Fame Weekend
with several exciting events in Madison County and Oneida County throughout the
four-day celebration.
