Juan Manuel Marquez, the former Mexican boxing champion, has spoken out against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr's recent troubles with the law. Marquez's comments come after Chavez Jr's arrest on July 2 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Marquez, known as "Dinamita" and respected in Mexican boxing circles, shared his thoughts on ProBox TV. He didn't pull any punches when discussing the situation.
"It's sad what is happening. Living this is not good for the image of boxing and for the Chavez family. He who does evil, evil will end. Chavez Jr had issues with that kind of thing before and it hurt him little by little."
Chavez Jr, son of legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez, faces a long list of charges. In the U.S., he's accused of drunk driving, illegal possession of weapons, having an expired visa, and staying in the country illegally.
The situation gets even more serious south of the border. Mexico's Attorney General's Office has charged Chavez Jr with organized crime and arms trafficking. They've also linked him to the Sinaloa Cartel, which the U.S. government labels as a terrorist group.
Since his arrest, Chavez Jr has missed a court hearing in Los Angeles. He couldn't show up because ICE still has him in custody. At first, people thought he'd be sent back to Mexico right away. Now, there's a chance he might face trial in the U.S. for his alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Right now, Chavez Jr is believed to be in Hidalgo, Texas, still held by ICE. His family has asked for patience while authorities look into the case. They want to prove Julito's innocence. His legal team is working hard to figure out what's next – whether that means freedom or time behind bars.
Everyone's waiting to hear more from the Department of Homeland Security about what's going to happen to Chavez Jr.
Marquez sees this whole situation as damaging not just for Chavez Jr, but for boxing and the entire Chavez family. He points out that Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, who he considers the best fighter in Mexican boxing history, must be feeling the impact of his son's actions.
As this story unfolds, it's clear that Chavez Jr's legal troubles have far-reaching consequences, affecting his career, his family's legacy, and the sport of boxing itself.
