It’s not a title bout, and there’s no championship belt on the line, but the buzz around Jake Paul’s fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. this Saturday in Anaheim is undeniable.
In a boxing world increasingly fascinated by influencer matchups and crossover stars, this fight has more at stake than it may seem at first glance.
For Chavez Jr., it’s a shot at redemption and relevance.
For Jake Paul, it’s another test in his journey from YouTuber to legitimate boxer.
And for fans? It’s a curious blend of spectacle and strategy.
Can Chavez Do What Tyson Couldn’t?
Last November, many expected Mike Tyson—though clearly past his prime—to humble Jake Paul in the ring.
Instead, what fans got was an underwhelming eight-round snooze fest where Tyson, at 58, looked every bit his age.
Rather than earning credibility, Paul’s win raised more eyebrows than cheers and only fueled the skepticism around influencer boxing.
Now Chavez Jr. steps in, hoping to do what Tyson didn’t: challenge Paul in a real, dangerous fight.
Chavez Calls Out Paul’s Strategy
Chavez hasn’t been shy about calling Paul out, particularly for choosing Tyson as an opponent.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, he made his feelings clear: “He picked Tyson just to gain more popularity.
Tyson’s a legend, but he’s no longer active. It wasn’t respectful.”
At 39, Chavez might not be in his prime either, but unlike Tyson, he’s still got a pulse in the sport.
He’s also got a chip on his shoulder—and he’s ready to test Paul in ways no one else has yet.
A Veteran with Something to Prove
Chavez Jr. isn’t just any fighter. He’s the son of one of Mexico’s most revered boxing legends and has been in the professional game since 2003—when Jake Paul was still in elementary school.
With a career that includes a WBC middleweight title and battles against elite names like Canelo Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs, Chavez has been through wars in the ring.
While Paul started his boxing journey with viral knockouts of fellow entertainers and former athletes, Chavez never had the “crossover” label slapped on him.
He was—and still is—a purebred boxer.
Respect for Paul, But With Caveats
Despite his critiques, Chavez isn’t completely dismissive of Paul’s efforts.
“He’s a boxer now, I can admit that,” he said. “But I want to see him face different situations—situations he hasn’t been in yet.”
Translation? Paul hasn’t truly been tested. Even in his only loss, a close decision to Tommy Fury in 2023, he stayed on his feet.
Paul even claims he’s never been knocked down in sparring.
Chavez wants to be the man who finally changes that.
A Career That’s Been Through Highs and Lows
Chavez’s rise peaked in 2012 when he won the WBC middleweight title with a TKO over Andy Lee, boosting his record to 46-0-1.
But his journey since then has been turbulent—losing to top-tier opponents and battling inconsistency.
In the last four years, Chavez has fought only once—beating former MMA fighter Uriah Hall.
Before that, he lost a close one to UFC icon Anderson Silva, who Paul later defeated in the ring.
Family Drama and Public Struggles
Chavez’s relationship with his father, the iconic Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., has been rocky.
The elder Chavez publicly criticized both Julio and his brother Omar for poor training habits and even urged them to retire.
At one point, Chavez Jr. accused his father of domestic violence, while Chavez Sr. shared painful reflections about his sons mirroring his past mistakes, including battles with addiction.
Despite all that, Chavez Jr. now says things are better: “We have a great relationship. Still some disagreements, but I’m OK.”
Concerns About Conditioning and Commitment
Boxing pundit Max Kellerman recently questioned whether Chavez was truly committed, noting that Paul is clearly the more dedicated fighter at this stage.
But Chavez is pushing back against that narrative.
He says he’s had a strong training camp and stayed active, even if he hasn’t been in the ring much.
“If you keep sparring and stay focused in the gym, it’s not so bad,” he said.
“The problem is when you leave boxing and try to come back after two months.”
Fighting Through Legal and Personal Battles
Like his father, Chavez Jr. has had off-ring troubles.
He’s dealt with substance issues and was arrested for DUI and for allegedly possessing a ghost gun—though he pleaded not guilty and entered treatment.
Now, though, he says his life is centered around training: “Train hard, rest, eat, focus.
I trained for five months, rested, then went back to running and sparring.
I’ve got three months of sparring in already.”
A Final Shot at Redemption
For Chavez, this fight is less about launching a comeback and more about making a statement.
If he can beat Paul, it would be a career-defining moment—not just for him, but for the larger conversation around influencer boxing.
In a sport where legacy and legitimacy matter, Chavez sees this as his chance to shut down the spectacle—and remind everyone what real boxing looks like.