Upcoming Matchup: Chávez Jr. vs. Paul
In a significant matchup set for June 28, 2025, Julio César Chávez Jr. aims to stall the booming boxing career of Jake Paul when they meet at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The stakes are high for Chávez Jr. as he expressed his determination to conclude Paul’s rise in the sport during his appearance on Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show”.
Chávez’s Determination
“Yes, I’m motivated to end Paul’s career.”
He emphasized his belief in his superior skills, suggesting that even if Paul continues to box post-fight, he lacks the ability to defeat him. This bout represents a critical moment for Chávez, a former WBC middleweight champion from 2011-12, who is seeking redemption in his boxing journey following troubled years marred by disappointing performances and personal issues, including a struggle with alcohol.
Past Setbacks and Recovery
His most notable setback came in 2019 when Chávez faced Daniel Jacobs. Notably, he was fined for a significant weight miss before that fight and ultimately chose to quit after just five rounds—an incident that sparked a near riot and left his father, the legendary Julio César Chávez Sr., in despair. Since that troubling night, Chávez Jr. has been working to reclaim his position in the boxing world, recently marking 20 months of sobriety.
“I liked the idea of fighting Paul because I think the timing is right,”
Chávez Jr. explained, noting Paul’s growing popularity and his own readiness to compete. At 39, he asserted,
“I’m not old; I’m still a good fighter. I train hard and I’m disciplined. My goal is to fight better competition after this fight.”
Jake Paul’s Ambitions
Meanwhile, Jake Paul has expressed ambitions of his own, recently indicating plans to face elite cruiserweights like Gilberto Ramirez and Badou Jack in 2026. For Chávez, a victory against Paul could serve as a stepping stone to position him among the elite fighters in the sport once again.
“What I want is to fight the best,”
he stated, expressing interest in facing champions such as Ramirez and Jai Opetaia.
Shared Opponent: Anderson Silva
The two fighters share a past opponent in Anderson Silva; Paul secured a unanimous victory over Silva in October 2022, while Chávez suffered a split-decision loss to the former UFC champion. Chávez believes that his situation when he fought Silva does not reflect his current capabilities, asserting,
“When I’m in shape, it’s different.”
Chávez’s Views on Paul
Despite Paul’s victory over a fighter Chávez failed to beat, Chávez doubts Paul’s legitimacy as an elite boxer, saying,
“I respect all fighters, but I don’t have much to respect about Jake as a fighter. He’s strong, but that’s about it.”
As the battle approaches, the anticipation builds not just for Chávez’s comeback but also for how it may redefine Jake Paul’s future in the boxing arena.
