Showdown in Anaheim: Jake Paul meets former world champion Chavez Jr. in June – a fight that combines entertainment and seriousness.
Jake Paul wants more than just headlines, he wants legitimacy. And now he’s taking on his most experienced opponent to date: on June 28, the social media star and self-proclaimed “El Gallo de Dorado” will step into the ring at the Honda Center in Anaheim against none other than Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – a former WBC middleweight world champion and son of a Mexican boxing legend.
The fight will take place as a classic 10-round cruiserweight duel under professional conditions and will be broadcast live worldwide via DAZN pay-per-view. Golden Boy Promotions acts as licensed promoter. In the co-main event, cruiserweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (WBA & WBO) will defend his titles against Cuban Yuniel Dorticós – an absolute top duel on an already spectacular card.
From “problem child” to title contender?
Paul (11-1, 7 knockouts), whose most recent victory over Mike Tyson on Netflix reached over 100 million viewers worldwide, announces the fight with his usual cockiness: “I beat the toughest man in the world. Now I’m knocking out an ex-champ. Chávez Sr. will be proud of me – more than of his son.” He no longer sees himself as just a PR phenomenon, but as a serious fighter on the way to world championship gold, even if this path continues to lead through a PR-driven build-up.
Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) also enters the ring with great motivation: “I’m in top shape mentally and physically. Paul is a problem that I will solve. Then we’ll talk again!” The Mexican wants to return to the limelight – at the expense of Jake Paul. The 39-year-old most recently defeated Uriah Hall and brings a wealth of experience to the ring despite life’s ups and downs.
Text by Robin Josten