The ongoing boxing journey of social media sensation Jake Paul continues this Saturday as he takes on former middleweight titleholder Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. This fight marks Paul’s second consecutive bout following his victory over 58-year-old former world champion Mike Tyson in November.
Contrary to a mistaken age claim, Chavez Jr. is 39 years old and has been inactive for over ten years since his peak boxing era. Despite his father’s legendary status, Chavez Jr. never quite matched that legacy, often struggling with controversies and personal issues. At the final press conference, Chavez Jr. criticized Paul’s boxing skills, stating, “He’s going to try hard, but he’s not a good fighter.”
This fight fits Paul’s pattern of facing competitors past their prime, similar to many of his previous opponents. Paul started his career by defeating influencer Anneson Gibb and then knocked out retired basketball player Nate Robinson. He then faced several former UFC fighters like Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice), and Anderson Silva. After a narrow split-decision loss to Tommy Fury, Paul rebounded with a win over Nate Diaz.
Paul’s matches against professional boxers Andre August and Ryan Bublic both ended in first-round stoppages, though the lack of famous names resulted in less public interest. To maintain his popularity, Paul moved on to well-known former UFC fighters like Mike Perry and a bare-knuckle fighter, securing a seventh career win before his spectacle bout with Tyson, whom Paul appeared hesitant to hurt.
Chavez Jr. brings legitimate boxing credentials and past championships to the ring, fitting Paul’s usual opponent profile of faded former stars. Paul acknowledged the challenge, calling Chavez Jr. “a great fighter” and “a tough test” on his path toward a world title.
Before this, Paul used Chavez Jr. as leverage in contract negotiations for a season and three fights before signing with Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Compared to Paul’s previous UFC opponents, Chavez Jr. is slightly more formidable due to his lifelong boxing experience. Chavez Sr. noted, “Jake fought Mike Tyson, who barely threw a punch. But this is not Mike Tyson; Julio will hit hard.”
The fight card also features unified cruiserweight champion Gilbert “Zurdo” Ramirez defending his WBA and WBO titles against Yuniel Dorticos in the co-main event. Ramirez boasts a remarkable 47-1 record with 30 knockouts, rebounding strongly from a 2022 loss.
Fight details:
– Date: June 28th at Honda Center, Anaheim, California
– Main card starts at 8 PM, with the main event ring walk around 11 PM
– Viewing: DAZN PPV for $59.99
Odds:
– Jake Paul -670 vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. +400 (cruiserweight)
– Gilbert Ramirez (C) -1115 vs. Yuniel Dorticos +600 (WBO cruiserweight title)
– Other supporting bouts listed
Prediction: Chavez was best in the middleweight division but was never dominant, often seen as riding his father’s name. Currently competing in cruiserweight and having defeated former UFC fighter Ulia Hall in July 2024, Chavez remains a notable opponent. Paul, who has improved his boxing skills, still relies heavily on his power. His ability to land decisive punches makes him a strong favorite, especially given Chavez’s natural size disadvantage. The prediction is Jake Paul to win by TKO in round 5.
Fan Take: This fight is significant for fighting fans as it highlights Jake Paul’s continued rise in boxing, challenging traditional norms of the sport by blending celebrity influence with competitive matchups. It also tests whether Paul can truly legitimize his boxing career against a fighter with genuine professional credentials, potentially reshaping the future landscape of boxing entertainment.
