BUTTERBEAN KNOCKS ED WHITE CLEAN THROUGH THE ROPES IN LAS VEGAS On April 12, 1997, Eric Butterbean Esch faced towering Ed White for the IBA super heavyweight title. White used his seven-inch height advantage and long jab to control the early exchanges and keep Butterbean at bay. The opening round stayed competitive as Ed White landed clean shots while Butterbean pressed forward undeterred. In the second round Butterbean found his range with heavy overhand rights and looping hooks that staggered White. A big right hand dropped Ed White early, and he rose with a look of resignation in his eyes. Butterbean followed with a left-right combination that sent White tumbling through the ropes and out of the ring. Referee Joe Cortez waved off the fight at 1:14, awarding Butterbean the TKO and retaining his title.