On Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Jake Paul stepped back into the boxing ring to face former WBC middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a highly anticipated 10-round cruiserweight bout. The event, broadcast live on DAZN pay-per-view, featured Paul aiming to solidify his position as a legitimate contender in the cruiserweight division while Chavez Jr. sought to prove he still had the skill and heart to compete at a high level despite recent setbacks.
Jake Paul, the 28-year-old internet sensation turned professional boxer, entered the fight with an 11-1 record, including seven knockouts. He was riding a five-fight winning streak since his split decision loss to Tommy Fury in February 2023. Notably, Paul had defeated former heavyweight king Mike Tyson by unanimous decision in November 2024, a victory that brought him significant attention and record viewing numbers. Standing 6-foot-1 with a 76-inch reach and primarily fighting around the cruiserweight limit of 200 pounds, Paul was favored by bookmakers as the -575 favorite to win against Chavez Jr., who was the +400 underdog.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., 39, a 6-foot-1 boxer with a 73-inch reach, brought a wealth of experience to the ring with a 54-6-1 record and 34 knockouts. The son of legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Chavez Jr. won the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and successfully defended it three times before losing it in 2012 to Sergio Martinez. Over his 22-year career, he has faced notable opponents such as Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs. However, Chavez Jr. had been less active in recent years, having fought just once since 2022 before this bout, and had participated in a residential treatment program following legal troubles involving felony gun possession charges.
The fight carried significant stakes for Paul. A convincing victory over Chavez Jr. could earn him a ranking in the WBC cruiserweight division at 200 pounds, bringing him one step closer to his goal of challenging for a world title. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman remarked, "The WBC ratings committee has been following Jake Paul's career. If he defeats Chavez, and depending on how the fight plays out, the committee will make the decision. It's very likely [Paul will be ranked] if he wins convincingly." Paul himself acknowledged the challenge, saying, "He's a great fighter. I like big names, legendary names, and he's on my path to a world championship. This is a tough test, a very tough test, but I'm here to challenge myself and do big things in this sport and then make a title run after I beat him on Saturday."
Chavez Jr., on the other hand, was skeptical of Paul's boxing credentials. At the final press conference, he stated, "No, I don't think he's good. I think he tries, he trains hard, but he's not a good fighter. He's definitely not a good boxer. If he were a good boxer, then everyone else on this stage would be a legend. I don't think he's a good boxer and everybody knows that."
The fight itself unfolded with Paul taking control early. In the opening round, Paul dominated the action, landing effective jabs and solid right hands to Chavez Jr.'s body while Chavez struggled to mount any meaningful offense. Commentary during the bout noted that Chavez Jr. did not land a single punch in the first round. Paul continued to work behind his jab, mixing in body shots and uppercuts, while Chavez Jr. appeared tentative and often on the defensive.
As the rounds progressed, Paul maintained control, using his superior conditioning and reach advantage to keep Chavez Jr. at bay. In the sixth round, Chavez Jr. landed a few notable shots, including a left hook that momentarily caught Paul's attention, but overall, Paul’s volume and accuracy were the defining factors. By the seventh round, judges had Paul leading comfortably on the scorecards, with a 70-63 advantage. Despite Chavez Jr.'s attempts to rally, he was largely unable to match Paul's pace and precision.
Throughout the fight, Chavez Jr.'s father, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., was visibly frustrated in the crowd, urging his son to increase his output. Meanwhile, Paul’s confidence and poise in the ring reflected his ongoing development as a professional boxer.
In the co-main event, Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez successfully defended his unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles against mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos. Ramirez, now 48-1, won via unanimous decision with scorecards reading 115-112, 115-112, and 117-110. Dorticos was deducted a point for repeated low blows during the fight. Ramirez called out IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia after the bout, aiming to unify the division's titles and solidify his status as the top cruiserweight.
The undercard featured several notable performances. Raul Curiel improved to 16-0-1 with a fourth-round TKO over Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez, landing a decisive uppercut and body shot combination that ended the fight. Julian Rodriguez scored a dramatic 10th-round knockout against Avious Griffin, who suffered his first career loss. Floyd Schofield made a statement in the lightweight division by defeating Tevin Farmer via first-round TKO, knocking him down twice in just 80 seconds. Holly Holm, the boxing Hall of Famer and former UFC champion, made a successful return to boxing with a unanimous decision victory over undefeated Yolanda Vega in a 10-round women’s lightweight bout.
The preliminary card also delivered exciting action, with unanimous decision wins for Alexander Gueche, John Ramirez, Joel Iriarte, and Rene Alvarado, and a knockout victory for Joshua Edwards.
The event marked another milestone in Jake Paul’s boxing career, showcasing his ability to compete against a former world champion and putting him on the path toward a potential title shot in 2026. As he continues to build his resume, Paul’s blend of youth, power, and strategic training appears to be paying dividends inside the ring.
For Chavez Jr., the fight represented a significant challenge late in his career. While his experience and name recognition remain notable, his recent performances and physical condition have raised questions about his future in the sport.
With the fight now concluded and Paul firmly in control throughout, the boxing world will be watching closely to see if he can capitalize on this momentum and secure a coveted ranking in the WBC cruiserweight division, moving closer to the title aspirations that have driven his rapid rise in professional boxing.
