Who is Julio César Chávez Jr.? Meet Jake Paul’s opponent in his next fight | Record, stats, KOs…

Jake Paul steps back into the ring for the first time since defeating the legendary Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in November last year, with Julio César Chávez Jr his next opponent at Honda Center in Anaheim, California on Saturday (June 28).

While Paul can already claim to have defeated a former world champion in Tyson, some view the Chávez fight as the influencer turned boxer’s first “real” test against a one-time elite performer. While 58-year-old “Iron Mike” ended a 20-year retirement to battle Paul, 39-year-old Chávez remains an active boxer. There can be little doubt, however, the Mexican is well beyond his peak.

Julio César Chávez Jr.’s boxing record: rise and decline

Chávez Jr., son of the legendary boxer Julio César Chávez, boasts a professional record of 54 wins, six losses and one draw, with 34 victories coming by knockout. But after starting his career with 46 victories, a draw and a no contest in his first 48 scheduled fights, his six defeats have come in his last 14 bouts.

In fact, Chávez Jr. is a former WBC middleweight world champion, a title he held from June 2011 to September 2012. He lost the belt to Argentina’s Sergio Martínez, a defeat that marked the beginning of that downward spiral in his career. His most high-profile loss came against fellow countryman Canelo Álvarez by shutout unanimous decision.

Mexican fighter’s personal struggles

Known affectionately as “Julito,” Chávez Jr. has battled personal demons, including substance abuse issues. His struggles have led to public clashes with his father, especially after testing positive for cannabis following the Martínez fight, which saw him serve a year-long suspension from boxing. Since then, videos have surfaced showing Chávez Jr. in a questionable state, prompting heartfelt public concern from Chávez Sr.

Since the start of 2022, Chávez Jr. has fought just once - against former MMA standout Uriah Hall in July 2024. His recent opponents have included two former UFC fighters, with Brazilian legend Anderson “Spider” Silva defeating him in Guadalajara in June 2021.

Jake Paul “not good” but the firm favorite

Despite his status as a former world champion, his recent decline, along with Paul’s impressive start to his boxing career (11 wins, 7 knockouts in 12 fights), means the YouTube star is the firm favorite with most bookmakers.

Not that Chávez was having any of it in a pre-fight press conference: “No, I don’t think he’s good. I think he tries, he trains hard, but he’s not a good fighter. He’s definitely not a good boxer. If he were a good boxer, then everyone else on this stage would be a legend. I don’t think he’s a good boxer, and everybody knows that.”

Will Chávez be proved right in Anaheim, or will his words come back to bite him?

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