“I’m going to humiliate him and force him to quit,” declared Jake Paul at a press conference, referring to his upcoming match against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The YouTuber-turned-boxer is set to face the former middleweight champion on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim in a ten-round cruiserweight fight. Paul displayed confidence, promising to deliver a significant defeat to Chavez Jr., who, at 39, is a former champion well beyond his prime. Interestingly, his last defeat came not from another boxer but from an ex-UFC champion.
However, it might be premature to dismiss Chavez Jr. completely, as recent training footage has reignited interest in the match. Amidst these talks, Jake Paul took time to reflect on how he envisions the fight playing out. He even drew comparisons between Chavez Jr. and his first professional opponent, Tommy Fury.
In a recent exclusive video from his Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), the former Disney star elaborated on what fans can expect come June 28. He exuded confidence, stating it would be his best performance to date. “Styles make fights, and Chavez is a forward-moving fighter who maintains a high guard, which exposes vulnerabilities for me to exploit. Given our contrasting styles, he will be dismantled, and I’m eager to finally showcase my full skill set to everyone.”
Paul anticipated an “offensive war” in the ring. When asked how Chavez Jr. differs from previous opponents like Mike Tyson or Mike Perry, he remarked, “Chavez is undoubtedly the most seasoned fighter I’ve faced, and he still possesses youth, knowing this could be a pivotal fight for him.” The conversation naturally shifted to Paul’s initial loss against Tommy Fury.
The interviewer inquired about the similarities and differences between Chavez Jr. and Tommy Fury, especially considering both fighters boast traditional styles. Jake Paul began with Fury, asserting that he has quicker footwork and striking power, making him more of a classical boxer. In contrast, Chavez Jr. is “more methodical, seeking to engage, taking his time, and focusing heavily on body shots.” This level of detailed analysis is unexpected from a fighter often criticized for his lack of conventional boxing credentials.
A Reasonable Perspective
For Chavez Jr., the stakes are high. It has been over a decade since he lost his middleweight title to Sergio Martinez, and since then, his career has been marked by inconsistency, including a lopsided defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2017, following long periods away from the ring. After the 2021 fight against David Zegarra, he faced another protracted hiatus.
Critics often mock Jake Paul for facing older or inactive fighters. However, it’s crucial to recognize that Chavez Jr., despite being 39, views this fight as potentially his last chance for a significant victory. Battling numerous setbacks in and out of the ring, he might be fighting not only for redemption but also to solidify his legacy. Oscar De La Hoya mentioned, “I spoke with his father, and he believes that if Chavez Jr. enters the ring in the shape I’ve seen over the last several months, he has the potential to knock out Jake Paul.”
As Jake Paul noted, fans could be in for an authentic battle this time around, offering a stark contrast to his previous bout with Tyson that faced heavy criticism.
What are your thoughts? Does Jake Paul’s comparison of Tommy Fury and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. hold merit, and might this fight take us all by surprise?
