Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: A Clash of Generations and Styles
In the ever-evolving world of boxing, where the unexpected often becomes the norm, Jake Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) is set to take another significant step in his quest for a world championship. On June 28, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Paul will face off against former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs). This intriguing matchup was announced by Most Valuable Promotions, who shared the details with ESPN on Friday.
The fight, scheduled for 10 rounds, will be co-promoted by MVP and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. It will be contested at a weight limit of 200 pounds and will be available on DAZN pay-per-view. This bout promises to be a spectacle, blending the new-age appeal of Jake Paul with the seasoned experience of Chavez Jr.
Jake Paul, at 28 years old, is no stranger to the spotlight. “Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion. I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish,” Paul declared in a statement to ESPN. His confidence is palpable, and he seems ready to take on the world.
Paul, who has adopted the moniker “El Gallo De Dorado,” is eager to prove his mettle against Chavez Jr. “Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico,” Paul added.
This fight announcement comes on the heels of a proposed bout between Paul and Canelo Alvarez falling through. Instead, Canelo opted for a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season. Paul then turned his attention to Gervonta “Tank” Davis, but Davis’ controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. in March derailed those plans. With these high-profile matchups slipping away, Paul set his sights on Chavez Jr., a former world champion and the son of a boxing legend.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP, explained the decision: “Chavez Jr. has always been on the short list of fighters that Jake Paul has targeted. After the Tyson fight, the original plan was to fight Chavez Jr. next. However, the Canelo opportunity presented itself and we paused discussions with Chavez.”
Chavez, now 39, will be the second former world champion Paul has faced. The first was Mike Tyson, whom Paul defeated in a unanimous decision in November 2024. Chavez’s career has been a rollercoaster since losing the WBC title to Sergio Martinez in 2012. He has gone 8-6 after starting with a 46-0-1 record, with notable losses to Canelo Alvarez and Anderson Silva.
Despite these setbacks, Chavez is optimistic about his upcoming fight. “First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life-mentally and physically,” Chavez said. “I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me. Unfortunately for their Problem Child, they’re going to have a big problem this June-one they won’t know how to resolve. Hopefully, when I beat him, people won’t underestimate this win.”
The co-main event will feature unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) defending his titles against former unified champion Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs). Ramirez, who has held the WBO and WBA titles since 2024, is looking to continue his dominance in the division. Dorticos, a former cruiserweight champion from Cuba, is on a three-fight winning streak and poses a formidable challenge.
Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy, expressed his excitement about the collaboration: “Once again, Golden Boy is proving that we’re willing to work with anyone to deliver the biggest and most exciting events in boxing. We’re thrilled to partner with Jake Paul, Nakisa Bidarian, Most Valuable Promotions, and DAZN to bring this blockbuster night to fans around the world.”
Interestingly, Paul and De La Hoya share a common adversary in UFC CEO Dana White, who will be hosting UFC 317 during International Fight Week, coinciding with the Paul-Chavez Jr. fight at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Nakisa Bidarian added, “I am excited to work with Oscar De La Hoya, who is the only former fighter to successfully operate a promotional company. Like Jake Paul, Oscar has his haters, but that’s because both move the needle like very few do and are not afraid to speak their mind.”
Originally Written by: Andreas Hale
