Social media sensation turned professional boxer Jake Paul is set to return to the ring against former WBC middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a cruiserweight bout on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The 10-round fight, airing live on DAZN pay-per-view, marks Paul’s first outing since his controversial victory over boxing elderly legend Mike Tyson in November 2024.
Paul, 28, with a professional record of 11-1 (7 KOs), continues his polarizing journey in the boxing world, taking on Chavez Jr., the 39-year-old son of Mexican boxing icon Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) brings a wealth of experience, having held the WBC middleweight title from 2011 to 2012 and faced elite fighters like Canelo Alvarez and Sergio Martinez. However, his recent 8-6 record since 2012 and sparse activity—competing just once since 2021—have fueled skepticism about his current form.
“This is the next step toward becoming world champion,” Paul declared in a press release from Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), which is co-promoting the event alongside Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. “I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m facing a former champion that the fraud Canelo couldn’t knock out. Chavez Jr. is Mexican, but I, ‘El Gallo De Dorado,’ have the will and heart of the great Mexican boxers. On June 28, I will knock out Julio and make Chavez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has.”
Chavez Jr., looking to revitalize his career, expressed confidence in a statement to ESPN: “First, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life—mentally and physically. I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me.” His last fight, a unanimous decision win over former UFC fighter Uriah Hall in July 2024 on a Paul undercard, saw him call out Paul, setting the stage for this matchup.
The fight has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters argue it’s a logical progression for Paul, who turned pro in 2020 with only one amateur fight and has yet to face a ranked boxer. Chavez Jr.’s name recognition and boxing pedigree make him a significant step up in competition, even if his prime years are behind him. “Although Chavez is 8-6 since 2012, he still carries name value as the son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez,” noted ESPN’s Andreas Hale. Critics, however, see it as another calculated move by Paul to face a faded star, with some fans on X calling it a “mismatch” and pointing to Paul’s -1000 betting odds against Chavez Jr.’s +500.
The event also features a co-main event with WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Zurdo Ramirez defending his titles against Yuniel Dorticos, adding firepower to a card aimed at capturing the large Mexican and Latino boxing fanbase in Southern California. Paul’s team is banking on Chavez Jr.’s heritage and the spectacle of his own growing brand to drive pay-per-view buys, following the massive gate from his Tyson fight, which reportedly generated over one million PPV buys in a previous clash involving Chavez Jr. against Canelo in 2017.
Chavez Jr.’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. His 2011 title win over Sebastian Zbik and three successful defenses showcased his potential, but losses to Martinez in 2012, a 2017 shutout to Canelo, and a 2021 defeat to Anderson Silva highlighted his struggles. His last elite-level fight ended in a fifth-round stoppage loss to Daniel Jacobs in 2019. Still, his durability—never having been knocked out by Canelo—adds intrigue to whether he can withstand Paul’s power.
Paul, meanwhile, remains a lightning rod in combat sports. His win over a 58-year-old Tyson was criticized for lacking competitiveness, yet it underscored his ability to draw massive audiences. “Chavez Jr. has always been on the list of fighters Jake Paul has looked at,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP. “After the fight with Tyson, the original plan was to fight Chavez Jr.” Failed negotiations with Canelo Alvarez and Gervonta Davis pushed Paul toward this matchup, which some see as a strategic move to build his resume while maintaining his marketability.
The fight’s announcement has already ignited debate online. One X post predicted, “Rounds 7 & 8 – Chavez Jr., fading and desperate, swings for a knockout but leaves himself open. Paul’s relentless pressure overwhelms Chavez Jr., prompting a referee stoppage.” Others question its appeal, with MMA Fighting reporting fans saying, “Nobody is going to pay for this.”
As June 28 approaches, all eyes will be on whether Paul can deliver on his knockout promise or if Chavez Jr. can channel his pedigree to upset the brash “Problem Child.” The boxing world will be watching Jake Paul, love him or hate him.
For more details, visit www.mostvaluablepromotions.com
