It’s not a title fight. It’s not even a contender-maker.
But make no mistake—when Jake Paul steps into the ring this Saturday in Anaheim to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the stakes are real.
For both fighters, this bout is less about belts and more about proving something—to the sport, to their critics, and to themselves.
In a boxing era increasingly drawn to influencer matchups and crossover athletes, this clash is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing spectacles of the summer.
Chavez Jr. Wants to Do What Tyson Couldn’t
Let’s rewind to last November. Jake Paul squared off with the legendary Mike Tyson, and many expected the 58-year-old icon to humble the YouTuber-turned-fighter.
But the reality was underwhelming.
Tyson looked every bit his age, and Paul cruised through the fight without much resistance.
Instead of earning respect, Paul’s victory over Tyson only made the influencer-boxing trend look more like a gimmick.
Now, enter Chavez Jr., who says he’s ready to put that narrative to rest.
A Challenger Who’s Been Watching Closely
Chavez Jr. hasn’t minced words about Paul’s choice to fight Tyson.
He believes Paul deliberately sought a safe opponent to boost his
popularity. “He picked Tyson to make himself more famous,” Chavez told Daily Mail. “But Mike is a legend. He’s not active anymore. That wasn’t respectful.”
At 39, Chavez is a far cry from Tyson’s age bracket—and he’s not ready to be counted out.
Though his career has been rocky, Chavez brings experience, pride, and something to prove.
Not a Crossover Fighter, Just a Boxer
Chavez Jr. isn’t coming into this fight to trend on TikTok or sell a crypto token.
He’s the son of one of Mexico’s greatest boxing legends and has been throwing punches professionally since 2003—when Jake Paul was still in grade school.
And unlike Paul, whose early boxing opponents were other YouTubers and ex-athletes, Chavez has never worn the “crossover” label.
He’s always been just a boxer, for better or worse.
Giving Paul Some Credit… With an Asterisk
Chavez is not entirely dismissive of Paul’s progress. “He’s a boxer,” he said.
“That’s all I can say. But I want to see him in different situations.”
What does that mean exactly? In short, Chavez believes Paul hasn’t truly been tested in the ring.
Even in Paul’s lone loss—a split decision to Tommy Fury—he never hit the canvas.
Paul even claims he’s never been knocked down in sparring.
Chavez is confident he can be the one to change that.
A Career That Climbed, Dipped, and Now Seeks Closure
Back in 2012, Chavez Jr. was on top of the world, winning the WBC middleweight title and going 46-0-1 after a TKO over Ireland’s Andy Lee.
But since then, his record has taken hits—both from high-level opponents like Canelo Alvarez and from his own inconsistent commitment to the sport.
He’s only fought once in the past four years, winning a decision against ex-kickboxer Uriah Hall.
Before that? A loss to Anderson Silva, who, ironically, would go on to lose to Jake Paul.
Tough Love From Dad—and Family Drama
Chavez’s journey hasn’t been easy, and much of the turmoil has been personal.
His legendary father, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., once told reporters that both Julio Jr. and his brother Omar should retire if they couldn’t commit to proper training.
Their relationship has seen serious strains—including public arguments and accusations.
Chavez Jr. has accused his father of domestic violence, while the elder Chavez admitted his sons had fallen into some of the same bad habits he once struggled with.
Still, Chavez Jr. now insists their relationship is on better terms.
“When you say you have a good relationship, it’s because there were problems before,” he said.
Critics Question His Training… But He Pushes Back
Longtime boxing analyst Max Kellerman recently noted that Paul, who is naturally bigger, appears to be more dedicated than Chavez.
But Chavez doesn’t buy it. He claims to have trained consistently and dismissed any talk of “ring rust.”
“If you stay in the gym, keep sparring, keep focused—it’s not bad,” he explained.
“But if you leave and try to come back after two months, that’s when it goes wrong. You have to stay active.”
Legal Issues, Addiction Battles, and a Search for Stability
Outside the ring, Chavez’s struggles have made headlines.
From substance issues to arrests—including DUI charges and allegedly having a ghost gun—his personal life has often overshadowed his fights.
He pleaded not guilty in the firearm case and entered a treatment program.
Today, he says his lifestyle revolves around the gym. “Train hard, rest, eat, focus,” he said.
“I trained five months, rested a bit, then went right back into running and sparring.”
It’s Not About Legacy—It’s About the Moment
No one’s calling Chavez a Hall-of-Famer. But this fight could still be one of the most meaningful of his career.
If he defeats Jake Paul, he won’t just win a match—he might deal a major blow to the entire influencer-boxing wave.
And for Chavez, that might be the most satisfying victory of all.