Jake Paul to face former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Jake Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) is taking a major leap toward becoming a world boxing champion as he prepares to face former WBC middleweight king Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) on June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) revealed the fight details Friday in partnership with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions. The 10-round showdown at a 200-pound limit will be available live on DAZN pay-per-view.
Reflecting on his journey, Paul said, “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.” The 28-year-old dubbed himself "El Gallo De Dorado" and vowed to honor the Chavez legacy with a knockout victory.
This bout comes after two high-profile potential fights fell through — first a blockbuster clash with Canelo Alvarez, which collapsed in favor of a Riyadh Season deal, followed by a planned bout with Gervonta “Tank” Davis that unraveled due to Davis’ controversial draw with Lamont Roach Jr. With those options closed, Paul turned to Chavez Jr., the son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP, told ESPN that Chavez Jr. was originally slated to be Paul’s next opponent following his November 2024 unanimous decision win over Mike Tyson. "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 Jr. , 39, has had a rocky career since losing his WBC title to Sergio Martinez in 2012. The former champion’s record has been mixed, with setbacks including a one-sided loss to Alvarez in 2017 and a surprising defeat to MMA legend Anderson Silva in 2021. Still, Chavez remains confident he can derail Paul’s rise.
“I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger,” Chavez said. “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.”
In the co-main event, unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) will defend his WBO and WBA titles against former unified champ Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs). Ramirez claimed the cruiserweight belts in 2024 after a long stint at super middleweight, while Dorticos arrives on a three-fight winning streak.
Oscar De La Hoya, Golden Boy Promotions chairman and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “Golden Boy is proving 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.”
Adding to the drama, UFC CEO Dana White will be promoting UFC 317 during the same weekend’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas, setting up a promotional rivalry between White and De La Hoya/Paul.
MVP’s Nakisa Bidarian summed it up: “Like Jake Paul, Oscar has his haters, but that’s because both move the needle like very few do and aren’t afraid to speak their mind.”
June 28’s fight at the Honda Center promises a high-stakes night for boxing fans, pitting Paul’s meteoric rise against Chavez Jr.’s bid for redemption.