Last time we checked Butch was driving Zed's chopper, with the Coolidge family watch in his possession, to pick up his girlfriend Fabienne. Since there never was a Pulp Fiction II, which is a good thing, I'm left to my own devices on this one. Here goes.
The Assumed Ending: Butch was financially set. He used Marsellus Wallace's bribe to bet on himself and realistically struck it rich in the process. On top of that he definitely seemed like a fighter approaching the end of the line. Provided he recognized it was time to hang up the gloves and accepted the Marsellus Wallace decree of lost "LA privileges", Butch could have disappeared with his golden parachute to start fresh somewhere else. That's entirely plausible. However, I'm not convinced that happened. Here's why:
The Breakup: Fabienne was incredibly annoying. While they enthusiastically played the part of an over the top teenage couple throughout the movie, I see Butch eventually tiring of her. And let's not forget that she had one real responsibility in the whole movie - keep track of the Coolidge family watch. She failed. Now factor in the astronomical divorce rate of professional athletes, particularly in retirement. Greg Bishop explored just that in this article, which looked at a number of factors including the following:
"When athletes retire, most face an identity crisis. Many do not retire on their own terms, and once they leave the game, they also leave behind the fame and fortune, the crowds and adoration. Their wives experience a similar loss of status. The dynamic players they married can become passive and withdrawn."
And Butch wouldn't even have to go through the hassle of a divorce.
The Finances: Butch received a substantial pay day for his successful double cross. Yet athletes have a long history of going broke. While he seemed to avoid the drug, alcohol, and procreating potholes, I envision him making some bad investments and burning through his nest egg. We also know that prior to that fateful night Butch's entire boxing career netted him a modest apartment and a white civic. He's no Hakeem Olajuwan (although I wonder how the Dream is doing since the market downturn).The Personality: Butch was not someone who shied away from danger. First he enraged Marsellus Wallace, which by all accounts is an awful idea. Then he returned to his apartment for the family watch when everyone in the Wallace organization had to be looking for him. Upon retrieving the watch he disregarded his hunted status for a toaster pastry snack. Tangent alert - I'm not prepared to choose a winner in the Pop Tart versus Toaster Strudel debate. I'm just here to say, "Pop tarts win because you can eat them hot or cold" is not a valid argument. Cold pop tarts are no bueno. But back to Butch. He risked death at the hands of 2 gun toting, deranged rednecks to save Wallace. Granted Butch had a samurai sword and his decision ultimately removed the bounty from his head. Doesn't mean it was a safe bet. Are we really expected to believe he simply rode off into the sunset?
Retirement?: As previously discussed Butch appeared to be at the end of the line. But often times an athlete will struggle to retire. And it wasn't like he won his "final bout" in unconvincing fashion. Butch killed his opponent. Provided the whole legal, public homicide doesn't psychologically drive him away from the only career he's ever known, Butch could very easily get the itch to fight again. I'm betting he'd scratch it.
The Fall of Wallace?: And finally the most crucial point of all. Marsellus Wallace banned Butch from a) discussing the rape and b) returning to LA. However, that whole incident may have been the beginning of the end for Wallace. First there's the entire rape and dealing with the aftermath of it. Even if Butch kept his word and remained silent are we sure Wallace's cavalry would? What if one of his guys showed up in the shop, tortured Zed and then decided to take a shot at the crown? From Vincent and Jules' earlier massage conversation we know the organization is prone to gossip. Details of the account could spread like wildfire and cripple Wallace's authority. I picture a mad dash for power reminiscent of European monarchies warring in their heyday. In the resulting power vacuum Butch could return from laying low and pick up where he left off.
Conclusion: In the end the discovery of Vega's bullet ridden body in his apartment, coupled with Coolidge's AWOL status would be the biggest obstacle to his return. However, Vega was a heroin using, career criminal. Any half decent lawyer could help beat those charges. And the notoriety would only increase interest in Butch and the purse for his bouts. I see several more fights, a tell all book (Killer Inside and Out of the Ring?) some paternity suits (he's due) and eventually a remarkable downward spiral that ends with Butch working as a collector for a loan shark, just as Rocky Balboa did before his career took off.
