He Could Be a Stumbling Block

There’s no disputing Jimmy Buffo’s tenacity. Or his bravado.

But can Buffo box?

Better than Butterbean, he claims. And Butterbean had better beware.

“I want to get Butterbean and I will get him,” Buffo said. “I’m not saying I’m Mike Tyson or [Evander] Holyfield, but I can beat him.”

Buffo’s nickname is “the Stump,” a moniker born of his 5-foot-5, 225-pound physique and reputation as a competitor tougher than a piece of beef jerky.

After distinguishing himself as a junior college All-American linebacker at Valley College and a competitor in the “World’s Toughest Man” boxing competition, Buffo, 34, of North Hollywood, has turned to professional pugilism.

He will make his debut Thursday at the Reseda Country Club in a four-round heavyweight bout against an opponent to be determined. The fight is on the undercard of the 12-round World Boxing Federation lightweight title fight between Danny Lujan and Juan Lazcano.

Buffo plans to fight once a month, climbing the ladder of four-round fights while gaining a following. His goal is to land a lucrative match with Eric Esch, a k a Butterbean, the popular cueball-headed, 300-pound fighter who emerged from the “World’s Toughest Man” competition.

Buffo isn’t claiming to be Jack Dempsey, either. Only that his determination will win out.

Buffo last played football in 1987 after two seasons at Cal Lutheran. He has been refining his fighting skills with trainer Joe Goossen of Van Nuys for the past few years.

Goossen also happens to be Buffo’s uncle and can attest to his toughness.

“I used to fight with him in his playpen like it was a boxing ring,” Goossen said. “I was about 8 or 9 and I would hit him with all my power and he would just get up and come after me. That was kind of the beginning of him being a rough little kid.”

Buffo, Goossen says, can box. Buffo says he’ll prove it.

“Everyone thinks my size is a disadvantage,” he says. “But having a low center of gravity is an advantage to me. What would you rather do, chop down a tree or pull out a stump?”