Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on Friday that Mexico had never previously detained boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in connection with a 2023 arrest warrant. Her comments followed U.S. authorities’ announcement that Chavez was arrested in California for overstaying his visa and providing false information on his green card application, with plans for swift deportation.
During a Friday news briefing, Sheinbaum expressed hope that Chavez would be deported to Mexico to serve any sentences related to charges including weapons and drug trafficking. The 39-year-old boxer was arrested Wednesday while riding a scooter near his home in Studio City, an upscale area of Los Angeles, as reported by his lawyer, Michael Goldstein.
This arrest took place just days after Chavez lost a bout to influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Anaheim, California. Chavez has divided his residence between Mexico and the U.S., and was detained by U.S. immigration officials in August 2023 for overstaying a tourist visa that expired in February 2024. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security alleged that Chavez submitted false statements in his permanent residency application, filed on April 2, 2024, which was based on his marriage to U.S. citizen Frida Munoz—whose daughter is the granddaughter of imprisoned Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
U.S. officials also believe Chavez has connections to the powerful Sinaloa cartel.
Fan Take: This news is significant for fight fans as it not only involves a high-profile boxer but also highlights how athletes’ personal lives can intersect with serious legal and criminal issues, potentially impacting their careers and the sport’s reputation. Chavez’s legal troubles and deportation could alter future boxing match-ups and bring more attention to the challenges fighters face outside the ring.
