Latest news with #ChavezJr.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Jake Paul says he'll make Chavez Jr. quit to earn boxing's respect
Jake Paul is setting his sights on respect as he prepares to face former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28. Known for his polarizing reputation in boxing, Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) is determined to prove his critics wrong with a decisive win over the seasoned Mexican fighter. Paul's previous wins over MMA stars Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva were dismissed by many in the boxing community due to the opponents' lack of boxing pedigree. His latest victory over Mike Tyson drew headlines but little validation, as Tyson, now in his late 50s, is long past his prime. This time, Paul faces Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs), a fighter with deep boxing roots and real professional experience. Though Chavez Jr.'s recent performances have raised eyebrows—marked by losses to Daniel Jacobs, Mario Abel Cazares, and Silva—he is currently riding a two-fight win streak, including a victory over Uriah Hall. Paul, confident and outspoken as ever, doesn't want any excuses if he beats the former champ. "I'm gonna shock the world once again and prove how good I am," Paul said at a recent press event. "I'm gonna embarrass him and make him quit like he always does." Despite Chavez Jr.'s declining form, Paul insists this fight is a statement opportunity. A win on June 28, he says, should silence doubters and cement his legitimacy in the sport. Whether fans agree remains to be seen, but Paul is demanding his respect—win or lose.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Julio Cesar Chavez Turned Down Huge Name To Take Jake Paul Fight
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 22: Julio César Chávez Jr. attends Logan Paul Workout Showcase at ... More Wild Card Boxing Club on October 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by) Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. had options. According to the former middleweight champion who is set to take on Jake Paul at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on June 28, he had an offer to fight another YouTuber-turned-boxer, KSI. However, Chavez says he took the fight against Paul because he has a bigger name. Chavez was speaking to boxing content creator, Elie Seckbach of ES News. Here is a look at the interview. The matchmaking decisions behind influencer boxing fights aren't always rooted in rankings or competitive merit—they're often about reach. Chavez Jr. knows that, and based on his comments to Seckbach, his team weighed their options. KSI, a global brand in his own right, was on the table. But Paul's drawing power still seems to eclipse everyone else in this niche crossover space, which made the decision a straightforward one for Chavez. While Chavez Jr. says he chose to fight Paul because he has a bigger name, he also said he wants to take revenge for Mike Tyson. Chavez says he didn't like seeing Paul fight the 58-year-old boxing legend, and he wants to make Paul pay. The fight between Chavez Jr. and Paul was announced on April 18. The date for Paul-Chavez Jr. is a curious one considering it positions the fight to go head-to-head against the UFC's International Fight Week. Does Paul know something we don't about UFC 317? Aside from that, it is strange for him to attempt to go head-to-head with one of the UFC's biggest shows. The pairing immediately sparked discussion around Chavez Jr.'s current form and what Paul gains by continuing to pick fights with legacy names. KSI had a fight scheduled with former mixed martial artist, Dillon Danis, but an injury forced the former out. However, the cancellation happened after KSI slapped Danis in the face with a pancake at the presser. Despite Chavez Jr's boxing pedigree, he will likely be an underdog by the time the fight with Paul rolls around. Chavez Jr. is 38 years old and he has only fought once over the past four years, a unanimous decision win over former UFC fighter, Uriah Hall. From a promotional standpoint, Paul vs. Chavez Jr. sets up a clean 'old school vs. new wave' narrative. And Chavez Jr. has leaned into it, pointing to Tyson's involvement in the Paul orbit as a motivator. Paul, who continues to play the role of boxing disruptor, now faces a name with legacy weight—even if that legacy has been complicated by inconsistency and inactivity. There's no question the build-up will lean heavily on personality, nostalgia, and internet moments. With Paul, that's always part of the package. For Chavez Jr., the question will be how sharp he can look after so much downtime—and whether a name built off heritage and occasional brilliance still has enough juice to challenge the influencer boxing tide. Like it or not, we're about to find out.
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr confirmed by Ring Magazine
Jake Paul will return to the ring against former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., following his high-profile win over Mike Tyson in November. Jake Paul has reportedly lined up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as his next opponent, according to The Ring Magazine. The YouTuber-turned-boxer, now 11-1 as a professional, will face Chavez Jr. at cruiserweight later this year, though the date and location remain unconfirmed. Jake Paul is set to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in a cruiserweight bout this summer, sources tell The Ring's @MikeCoppinger. Chavez most recently fought on Paul's undercard in July 2024, his first fight since 2021. — Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) April 18, 2025 Chavez Jr. (54-6-1) held the WBC Middleweight title from 2011 to 2012 and is the most seasoned boxer Paul has faced. The 38-year-old went the distance with Canelo Alvarez in 2017 and is the son of Mexican boxing icon Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., widely regarded as one of the sport's greatest fighters. Paul, 28, recently defeated 58-year-old Tyson by decision in a bout that drew more than 108 million live viewers on Netflix, making it the most streamed sporting event in history. However, his upcoming clash with Chavez Jr. will not air on the platform. The fighters share a common opponent in Anderson Silva. Chavez Jr. lost to Silva in 2021 during the UFC legend's return to boxing, while Paul scored a unanimous decision victory over the former middleweight champion in 2022. Chavez Jr. has also called out Paul in the past, following his win over ex-UFC contender Uriah Hall. That fight, which took place on Paul's undercard, ended in a decision victory for Chavez. Paul's career includes wins over five UFC veterans, including Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Silva. His only professional loss came via split decision against Tommy Fury in 2023.
Forbes
18-04-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Jake Paul Vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr: Here's What We Know So Far
Jake Paul's next opponent is likely set. As I've expected for months, Paul will climb into the ring to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his next fight. According to Mike Coppinger of The Ring Magazine, Paul will clash with Chavez Jr. 'this summer' in a cruiserweight bout, but the date hasn't been set as of yet. The expectation is for the fight to land on Netflix again, but even that hasn't been confirmed. Paul, who defeated the legendary Mike Tyson via unanimous decision in November 2024, carries a professional record of 11-1 with 7 KOs. Chavez Jr., 39, a former world champion, has a pro record of 54-6-1 with 34 KOs. In his last fight, Chavez scored a unanimous-decision win over former UFC fighter Uriah Hall in July 2024. Chavez Jr. took to Instagram after Paul-Tyson, and he called out the YouTuber-turned-boxer, but the Problem Child mostly ghosted the second-generation fighter's overtures. However, with proposed fights against Canelo Alvarez and Tommy Fury failing to come to fruition, it appears Chavez Jr. is the backup plan. I wrote on Wednesday that the former world champion is an ideal opponent for Paul at this stage of his career. And I still believe that's the case. Despite Paul's massive celebrity, he's still a man with no amateur pedigree and only 12 professional fights—against mostly non-boxers on his resume. Paul's competition should be light and gradually upgraded, but oftentimes that concept gets lost in the bright shine of the megastar. While many felt the fight with Tyson was a gross mismatch because of the 28-year age gap, this fight with Chavez Jr. would be far less of an egregious battle of ages. Paul is only 11 years younger than Chavez Jr., and even BoxRec only rates the latter as a two-star fighter, while the former is one-and-a-half stars. It will be interesting to see what route Paul and MVP Promotions take as it pertains to the hype for this fight. Paul already began the buildup on Thursday when he released a teaser that candidly admitted to his attempts to fight bigger names. Take a look: There doesn't appear to be any tells in the video that suggest Chavez Jr. is the pick, but rumors that he would be next for Paul began from other sources days before Coppinger added more detail and validity with his report on Thursday evening. As far as lines on this fight, I'd expect Paul to be a massive favorite. Quite honestly, that's an insult to Chavez Jr. For a man who went the distance with Canelo eight years ago (though it was a 12-0 shutout) and who was a world champion 13 years ago, the odds should not be as widely in Paul's favor as they figure to be. Chavez Jr. has almost always seemingly struggled with condition, dedication, and discipline. While he possessed undeniable gifts—like a sturdy chin, great size, and strong body-punching ability—he never reached the heights most expected from him being the son of a legend. In any case, he is set up to get what will likely be a huge payday—especially considering how far removed he is from being a top-tier fighter. It'll be interesting to see who lands on the undercard. Would Paul hop on the Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor card that is set for July 11 at Madison Square Garden? Paul would probably make his fight the co-main event, but it might be an awkward fit considering his scrap with Chavez Jr. will draw more eyeballs. We'll see, but it seems the official announcement is imminent.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jake Paul's next fight: Who are Paul's best options after the Canelo Alvarez saga?
As the dust settles around Jake Paul's failed attempt to secure a fight with Saul "Canelo" Alvarez on May 3, it's time for "El Gallo" to turn back the clock and channel his inner "Problem Child." Before Paul's high-profile bout against Mike Tyson in November, he was fighting lower-tier professional boxers on DAZN non-PPV cards to build his résumé and sharpen his skills. His ultimate goal was to earn a shot at a world title. However, his name recognition and popularity have proven to be more than enough to attract bouts with world-class boxers. Why take the long road when shortcuts are available? When Paul first entered the boxing world, his strategy was clear: Create rivalries, deliver fights fans want to see, and make a fortune doing it. Paul understood that his path to success wasn't about fitting into boxing's traditional hierarchy, but rather about disrupting it entirely. With the "Canelo" fight off the table, here are five opponents Paul could face to soften the disappointment of this past week and maintain his momentum. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of Mexico's legendary boxing icon, presents an intriguing option. A former WBC middleweight champion whose skills have significantly declined, Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) offers Paul a winnable yet credible challenge. The fight is relatively low-risk, given that Chavez Jr. has already suffered a loss to a 46-year-old Anderson Silva — a fighter Paul has defeated. Additionally, a matchup between Paul and Chavez Jr. would generate significant interest, particularly in boxing hotspots like Las Vegas or somewhere in Texas, where Mexican fight fans would be eager to tune in. The long-standing rivalry between Paul and KSI has been brewing for eight years, making it one of the most anticipated fights in the influencer boxing scene. KSI, who is also a business partner with Paul's older brother Logan, boasts a massive U.K. fan base. A fight between the two could potentially fill Wembley Stadium, creating one of the largest spectacles in crossover boxing history. Financially, this bout is Paul's biggest commercial opportunity, with the potential to break streaming records on platforms like Netflix or DAZN. Given the history, global appeal and mutual animosity, this fight remains one of the most compelling and lucrative options for Paul. Tommy Fury (10-0, 4 KOs) is the only fighter to have handed Paul a professional loss, making a rematch a logical next step. A second fight would allow Paul to showcase his growth since their first meeting, proving whether he has truly improved as a boxer. The Fury family, always entertaining and outspoken, would add another layer of excitement to the buildup. If Paul manages to win, the rivalry could evolve into a trilogy, further amplifying its stakes and drawing even more attention to the sport. One-time UFC title challenger Darren Till brings a major MMA audience into the mix. Till, known for his aggressive fighting style and striking abilities, recently secured a dominant knockout victory over Anthony Taylor under the Misfits Boxing banner, proving he has the power and skill to compete in the boxing ring. His transition from the UFC to boxing makes him a potentially exciting opponent for Paul, as eyeballs from both sports would tune in to see how Till's experience translates into the squared circle. With his striking pedigree and name recognition, Till represents a formidable challenge and an opportunity for Paul to further establish his boxing credibility. Adding to the intrigue, Fury was originally scheduled to fight Till but backed out, reportedly fearing that Till would kick him in the ring. KSI, however, believes Fury withdrew after hearing unsettling sparring stories from Till's training camp, making a potential fight with Paul even more enticing. If Paul is serious about making a run at a legitimate boxing title, a fight against WBC bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena would be a significant step. Although the 224-pound bridgerweight division is relatively new in terms of mainstream recognition, Lerena (30-3, 14 KOs) holds an established world championship, and defeating him would solidify Paul's credibility. Lerena has called out Paul multiple times, even posting about it on social media. A fight in South Africa, where Lerena has a strong following, could add a unique global dimension to Paul's career. Given Paul's positive relationship with the WBC, this fight stands a strong chance of receiving sanctioning, making it a viable option for his title aspirations. While the dream of facing "Canelo" may be out of reach for now, Paul still has plenty of high-profile opponents to choose from. Whether he opts for a lucrative rivalry fight, another crossover event with an MMA opponent, or a potential world title shot, his next move will shape the trajectory of his career. With the eyes of the combat sports world watching, Paul's decision will determine whether he continues as boxing's leading disruptor or takes a more traditional path toward in-ring legitimacy.
