Jake Paul is set to face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, with Paul favored to win for the second time in a year against a former world champion. The fight will begin around 11 pm ET. Paul has methodically progressed in professional boxing, initially competing against fellow social media personalities before moving on to professional athletes, mixed martial artists, and seasoned boxers. His bouts have attracted significant attention, including over 100 million viewers for his fight against Mike Tyson last November.
Now, Paul takes on Chavez Jr., the son of a three-division world champion, who once held the WBC middleweight title and started his career with an impressive record of 46-0-1. Chavez defended his title four times before experiencing his first loss to Sergio Martinez in September 2012. Since then, he has not won another world title and currently holds a record of 54-6-1, with 34 knockouts, having recently defeated mixed martial artist Uriah Hall in a six-round match last July.
Though Chavez Jr. is no longer considered a champion-level competitor, the 39-year-old should provide a more challenging fight than the 58-year-old Tyson did last year. Current betting odds list Paul as a heavy favorite at -575 on DraftKings, while Chavez is the underdog at +400. Both fighters have faced a common opponent, former UFC champion Anderson Silva, who defeated Chavez by split decision in June 2021 but lost to Paul via unanimous decision in October 2022.
For those interested in betting, the total rounds over/under is set at 8.5 out of a possible 10 rounds. Paul has won by all types of decisions, making him likely to succeed under these betting conditions. Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. betting is open in many states, with several sportsbooks offering promotions and bonuses for bettors.
Reviews of major sportsbooks include:
– FanDuel Sportsbook: Offers a $150 bonus bet with no promo code required, a strong user interface, multiple sports markets, but lacks a rewards program. Referral bonuses are available.
– DraftKings Sportsbook: Provides $150 in bonus bets for new users regardless of their first bet outcome, has an extensive selection of bets, and is accessible in many states.
– BetMGM Sportsbook: Offers up to $1,500 in bonus bets with the use of promo code “CBSSPORTS,” seamless mobile navigation, quick deposits, and a solid rewards program.
– Fanatics Sportsbook: New to the market, offers up to $1,000 in promotions without a promo code, with a strong rewards program focused on merchandise credits. Limited desktop functionality and customer service options.
– BET365 Sportsbook: Offers $150 in bonus bets with promo code “cbsbet365,” excellent design and live betting options, but has some limitations on payment methods.
– Caesars Sportsbook: Unique promotions that double winnings on the next 10 bets with promo code “cbsdyw,” great user experience, but fewer markets compared to competitors; offers luxury prizes and a rewards system.
All sportsbooks emphasize responsible gambling with tools such as betting limits, self-exclusion, and time checks. Betting is legal for those 21 and older (18 in Washington, DC) and physically present in participating states.
Fan Take: This fight highlights Jake Paul’s continued impact on boxing by bringing massive attention and new audiences to the sport, even when facing seasoned traditional fighters like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. It also underscores the evolving landscape of combat sports where entertainers and athletes from different backgrounds create intriguing matchups that can broaden the sport’s appeal and marketability.