Seven months following his high-profile bout against 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, YouTube star Jake Paul is set to return to the ring to battle another ex-world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Chavez Jr, 39, is a former World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight titleholder who hasn’t held a significant boxing title in 13 years and has only fought once in the past three and a half years. He has also faced several well-documented personal struggles in recent years.
When is the Paul-Chavez fight scheduled?
The fight will take place on Saturday, June 28, featuring six preliminary bouts before the main event. Jake Paul and Chavez Jr are expected to make their entrance at 8 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is 03:00 GMT on Sunday, with the fight commencing shortly thereafter.
Where will the Paul-Chavez fight occur?
The event is set to take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, which can accommodate around 7,000 spectators for boxing matches.
Wasn’t Paul originally scheduled to face Canelo Alvarez?
In February, Paul accused Canelo Alvarez of backing out of a potential fight with him to sign a lucrative four-fight deal with Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia. A video shared on his social media featured what Paul claimed was a signed contract for a fight in Las Vegas on May 3.
What challenges has Chavez Jr faced since becoming WBC champion?
Chavez Jr, who last held a major title in 2012, has encountered numerous challenges both inside and outside the ring. His unexpected defeat to 46-year-old former UFC fighter Anderson Silva in November 2021 marked a significant low in his boxing career. Personal issues have included difficulties with motivation, recurrent weight issues for fights, substance abuse, and legal troubles.
Who are Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr?
Jake Paul, who transitioned from being a YouTube personality to a boxer, boasts a record of 11-1. The 28-year-old has quickly become a prominent figure in the sport despite lacking a traditional boxing background. His last match against Tyson achieved a remarkable peak of 64 million simultaneous streams on Netflix.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, son of the legendary three-division champion Julio Cesar Chavez, has a career record of 53 wins (34 KOs), six losses, and one draw. After becoming the WBC middleweight champion in 2011, he defended his title three times but has since faced a string of underwhelming performances. Despite personal difficulties, he is still viewed as a skilled boxer capable of challenging novice fighters like Paul.
What to expect from the fight?
In interviews, Paul acknowledges that Chavez Jr is likely the toughest opponent he has faced so far, highlighting Chavez’s vast experience. Chavez Jr has indicated his motivation to end Paul’s career, confident in his boxing skills over Paul’s abilities.
