In Mexico’s long storied boxing history, world champion and owner of 107 wins and multiple world championships, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., is arguably the greatest boxer of them all.
His son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., followed in his footsteps, and is still fighting, hoping for one big moment. On Saturday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, the 39-year-old Chavez Jr. fights social media star and burgeoning boxing promoter Jake Paul in perhaps one final opportunity to resurrect an up and down career.
Chavez Jr., the former middleweight champion of the world is 54-6-1 in his career.
Julio César Chávez Jr.’s success in the ring
Chavez Jr. turned pro at the age of 17 in 2003 and his team took things slow for him as he built a 43-0-1 record leading into his WBC middleweight fight with Sebastian Zbik in 2011. Chavez Jr., won that fight, made three title defenses, including a TKO win vs. the very talented Irish fighter Andy Lee at the Sun Bowl in 2012. Surely, there was a lot of pride and happiness in the family as the younger Chavez began to stake his claim as a top fighter.
The win vs. Lee earned a big fight with Sergio Martinez, a talented fighter with a big name, Chavez was outboxed for 11 rounds, but showed grit and determination and floored Martinez in the 12th and final round. Martinez survived to win the fight, but Chavez Jr. earned respect for his chin and heart.
Julio Chavez Jr’s career was never the same after Martinez loss
After losing to Martinez, the career of Chavez Jr. never was the same. He was 47-1-1 after that loss but has fought just 12 times since 2012 with seven wins.
Chavez Jr. has battled weight issues, too much inactivity and seemingly had lost motivation to be at his best. He was instead living solely on the Chavez name and trying to simply get back all the things he had once been given and had now lost.
Was it the publicity, the pressure, or the expectations that derailed Chavez’ career? Only he knows with 100 percent certainty.
Can Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. redeem himself against Jake Paul?
Since December 2021, Chavez has fought only once — a lackluster victory in July 2024 in a six-round fight over Uriah Hall, who had boxed professionally only once before, by unanimous decision. He has lost three of his six last fights, which included quitting after the fifth round in his bout against Daniel Jacobs.
By contrast, Paul has fought seven times since December 2021, and is coming off a victory over Mike Tyson by unanimous decision on Nov. 15, 2024.
Chavez Jr. has the DNA of boxing royalty and it’s been a longtime since we’ve seen the very best of him. It won’t be easy vs. Paul. who has worked hard to become a better all-around fighter and on paper Chavez Jr. is the most skilled fighter Paul has faced.
But maybe and it’s a big maybe, Chavez Jr. will show up motivated and give his best at the age of 39, which would be one of his biggest accomplishments in a career that has been both up and down.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has had many ups and downs in two decade career
Reporting by Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
