Jake Paul to Face Former Boxing Champion in First Fight Since Mike Tyson

Paul will fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28.
Jake Paul on Nov 13, 2024.
Jake Paul on Nov 13, 2024. / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Months after taking on legendary pro Mike Tyson, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul (11–1, 7 KOs) has set his next match-up—a 10-round fight against former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs). The contest is slated for June 28 in Anaheim, and will be co-promoted by Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

"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," Paul told ESPN in a statement. "I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I'm going against a former champion who conman Canelo [Alvarez] couldn't finish.

"Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico."

In November, Paul, 28, won a unanimous decision against Tyson, 58, in a largely uneventful match streamed on Netflix. He has pursued fights with others in the time since, but at least two of those proposed plans have fallen apart, per ESPN.

"First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life - mentally and physically," Chavez said in a statement. "I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, 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."

The June 28 match-up will be shown on DAZN pay-per-view.


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Brigid Kennedy
BRIGID KENNEDY

Brigid Kennedy is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, she covered political news, sporting news and culture at TheWeek.com before moving to Livingetc, an interior design magazine. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, dual majoring in television, radio and film (from the Newhouse School of Public Communications) and marketing managment (from the Whitman School of Management). Offline, she enjoys going to the movies, reading and watching the Steelers.