Jake Paul defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a boxing match on June 28, 2023, at the Honda Center in Anaheim. The victory came by unanimous decision. But the story didn't end in the ring.
Just days later, on July 2, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Chavez Jr. in Studio City, Los Angeles. The former middleweight champion faces multiple charges, including overstaying his visa and allegedly providing false information on his green card application.
When asked about the arrest, Paul told Fight Hub TV:
"It's unfortunate, you know. I don't want anyone to be in that situation, but actions have consequences."
Paul's words seem compassionate on the surface, but they also hint at Chavez Jr.'s potential guilt.
The timing of the arrest raised eyebrows. The Department of Homeland Security had determined Chavez Jr. was arrestable on June 27, one day before the fight. This led some to question why authorities waited until after the high-profile boxing match to make the arrest.
Chavez Jr.'s legal troubles extend beyond immigration issues. He has an active warrant in Mexico for weapons and drug trafficking charges, with alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. In the U.S., he was convicted of driving under the influence in 2012 and arrested for illegal possession of firearms without serial numbers in January 2024.
Despite these allegations, Chavez Jr.'s father, boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., stands by his son. He told El Heraldo newspaper:
"It's complicated; there is a lot of talk, but we are calm because we know my son's innocence. My son will be whatever they want, whatever, but he is not a criminal and much less all of what he is accused of."
As of now, Chavez Jr. is being processed for 'expedited removal' and awaits deportation to Mexico. The situation has created tension in the boxing community and beyond, escalating the rivalry between Paul and Chavez Jr. far beyond their match in the ring.
