On a thrilling night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Jake Paul extended his professional boxing record to 12-1 with a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The cruiserweight showdown on June 28, 2025, was a captivating contest that tested both fighters' endurance and skill, leaving fans buzzing about the action-packed event.
Paul, known for his social media roots and rapid rise in the boxing world, entered the ring with a record of 11 wins and one loss, including seven knockouts. His most notable triumph came in November 2024, when he defeated Mike Tyson in a bout that became Netflix's most-streamed sporting event, attracting approximately 65 million viewers. On the other side, Chavez Jr., a seasoned boxer with a record of 54-7-1 and 34 knockouts, brought his veteran experience and a recent two-fight win streak, including a July 2024 victory over Uriah Hall.
The fight card, which kicked off at 8 p.m. ET and featured seven bouts in total, saw the main event ring walks for Paul and Chavez Jr. around 11 p.m. ET. The event was streamed live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, priced at $59.99 in the United States, drawing significant attention from boxing enthusiasts nationwide.
Despite the unanimous decision in Paul's favor, the bout was much closer than the judges' scorecards suggested. The judges scored the fight 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92, reflecting a clear win for Paul. However, the dynamics inside the ring told a more nuanced story. Paul started strong but reportedly gassed out after five rounds, allowing Chavez Jr. to dominate four of the last five rounds. Chavez Jr. landed harder, cleaner shots during this period, but the judges did not fully credit his late surge.
Adding to the excitement of the night, Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez successfully defended his WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles with a 12-round unanimous decision over Yuniel Dorticos. Dorticos, 39, was penalized a point in the tenth round for a low blow, and the judges scored the fight 115-112, 115-112, and 117-111 in favor of Ramirez. Dorticos started strong, controlling the first six rounds with better activity and harder punches, but Ramirez fought back fiercely in the latter half, applying pressure and fighting on the inside to retain his titles.
In the welterweight division, Raul Curiel showcased his power with a fourth-round knockout of Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez. Curiel, 29, landed a devastating right uppercut that sent Rodriguez to the canvas. Rodriguez rose but was quickly overwhelmed by a flurry of punches, leading the referee to stop the fight at 2:09 of round four. Curiel's accuracy was impressive, landing 56 of 113 punches (50%), compared to Rodriguez's 47 of 168 (28%).
Another dramatic knockout came in the ten-round welterweight bout where Julian Rodriguez knocked out previously unbeaten Avious Griffin in the final round. Griffin, standing six feet tall, had scored a knockdown against Rodriguez in the eighth round but was trailing on the scorecards. Rodriguez landed a powerful hook in the tenth round, sending Griffin face down to the canvas with blood streaming from his nose. Rodriguez landed 92 of 223 punches (41%), while Griffin threw 342 punches but landed only 94 (27%).
Lightweight prospect Floyd Schofield stunned fans by knocking out former IBF super bantamweight champion Tevin Farmer in the first round of their scheduled ten-round fight. Schofield, just 22 years old, caught Farmer with a looping right hand early in the round and followed up with a barrage that led to a referee stoppage at 1:18. This upset victory surprised many, given Farmer's experience and Schofield's previous performances.
In a remarkable return to the ring after a 12-year hiatus, 43-year-old Holly Holm dominated Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa to win a 10-round unanimous decision in a lightweight contest. Holm's movement and quick shots controlled the fight, with judges scoring it a clean 100-90 across the board. From the seventh round onward, Holm focused on precise left-hand shots to Vega's head, showcasing her veteran skill and ring savvy.
Joel Iriarte, standing tall at 6'1", secured a wide unanimous decision against journeyman Kevin Johnson in an eight-round welterweight bout. Iriarte chose to fight inside, using mauling tactics to keep Johnson pinned against the ropes, which some found less entertaining but effective. The judges scored the fight 78-74, 80-72, and 79-74 in Iriarte's favor.
In bantamweight action, Alexander Gueche outclassed Vincent Avina with a dominant eight-round unanimous decision. The judges' cards read 80-72, 80-72, and 79-73, reflecting Gueche's control throughout the fight.
2024 U.S. Olympian Joshua Edwards continued his impressive rise with a first-round knockout of Dominicc Hardy. Edwards connected with a sharp lead right hand that floored Hardy, who struggled to continue after getting up. The referee stopped the fight at 1:03 of round one, with Hardy clearly unable to recover due to an awkward fall that compromised his leg.
Super featherweight Rene Alvarado put on a relentless pressure performance to dominate previously unbeaten Victor Morales in a lopsided 10-round unanimous decision. The judges scored 96-94, 99-91, and 99-91, while Boxing News gave Alvarado a perfect 10-round shutout. Morales suffered a cut over his left eye in the sixth round and endured heavy punishment throughout, retreating often as Alvarado pressed forward with body shots and rapid combinations.
On the preliminary card, John 'Scrappy' Ramirez outslugged veteran Josue Jesus Morales in a super flyweight bout, winning a wide unanimous decision with scores of 79-73, 80-72, and 80-72. Ramirez's aggressive style and power proved too much for the experienced Morales.
The night was a showcase of both rising talent and seasoned veterans, with several bouts delivering memorable moments for fight fans. Jake Paul's victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., though somewhat controversial in scoring, solidified his status as a serious contender in the cruiserweight division. Meanwhile, title defenses, knockouts, and comebacks added layers of intrigue and excitement to the event.
As the dust settles on this action-packed card, the boxing world will be watching closely to see what's next for these fighters. Will Paul continue to pursue high-profile opponents and perhaps finally face the likes of Canelo Alvarez? Can champions like Ramirez maintain their grip on the cruiserweight division? For now, the night at the Honda Center stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and drama of the sweet science.
