One in all Jake Paul’s nicknames is the “Downside Baby,” however that nickname might simply as simply match Julio César Chávez Jr.
After turning into World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight champion of the world in 2011, Chávez defended his crown 3 times and got here to be thought of on the identical degree as his modern Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. However a disappointing loss to Sergio Martínez in 2012, lack of self-discipline wanted to coach correctly and make weight, in addition to a crushing defeat to Álvarez in 2017, despatched his profession right into a free fall.
From 2019-21, he picked up three losses in 4 fights, together with falling to former champion Daniel Jacobs and blended martial arts veteran Anderson Silva.
Now at 39, Chávez will face Youtuber turned boxer Jake Paul in a cruiserweight contest scheduled for June 28 on the Honda Middle in Anaheim. Chávez (54-6-1, 34 KOs) has fought 61 skilled bouts since his debut in 2003 and might be the hardest check of Paul’s (11-1, 7 KOs) profession so far, though all of it is determined by the extent of the Mexican’s health for the matchup.
Throughout a press occasion held at The Avalon in Hollywood on Wednesday, Paul strongly criticized Chávez whereas mentioning the dependancy issues Chávez has confronted in addition to his “lack of mentality.”
“I’m going to embarrass him and run him down like he all the time does,” Paul stated. “I’m going to reveal him. He would be the embarrassment of Mexico. There are two issues you’ll be able to’t beat — me and your drug dependancy.”
Outdoors the ring, Chávez’s private life has not been freed from issues. The Culiacan native was arrested in January of final 12 months in Los Angeles and charged with unlawful possession of weapons, particularly an assault rifle, which was present in his house. He finally pleaded not responsible and dedicated to getting into a rehabilitation program.
On Wednesday, the legendary Julio César Chávez Sr. stood by his son’s facet to assist him within the face of Paul’s verbal assaults. For Chávez Sr., if his son continues to coach the way in which he has seen him recently, the American doesn’t stand an opportunity. Chávez Jr. shall be seeking to be the second opponent to beat Paul after Tommy Fury scored a win in 2023.
“He’s an overrated fighter. He hasn’t fought anyone. He solely fights previous guys,” stated Chávez Jr., who added he’ll arrive in Anaheim as one of the best model of himself and that the primary 5 rounds shall be tough, however that he’ll tip the scales in his favor from the seventh spherical on.
Chávez Sr., as on many events, has talked about that his son is coaching like by no means earlier than.
“There isn’t a means Jake Paul can beat my son, the way in which he’s coaching,” Chávez Sr. stated.
Paul responded he might beat Chávez Jr. and his legendary father, criticizing Chávez Jr.’s lack of self-discipline.
“It’s not a champion’s mentality to solely prepare laborious when you’ve gotten a giant battle. I prepare laborious each time I’ve a battle, irrespective of who I’m dealing with. That teaches you the kind of particular person he’s,” Paul stated.
After the information convention, Chávez Jr. famous that he anticipated Paul to choose on his dad, however understood it was a psychological tactic by his opponent.
“In boxing you study step-by-step, and he’s lacking a number of,” Chávez Jr. stated.
Paul, a 28-year-old from Cleveland, will return to the ring since he final fought in November, when he outpointed heavyweight legend Mike Tyson in an eight-round bout in Arlington, Texas. The occasion dissatisfied many as a result of a scarcity of competitiveness from 58-year-old “Iron Mike.”
Throughout this battle, Paul will possible have a lot of the gang in opposition to him by selecting to battle a Mexican star in Southern California, though he believes there are numerous who will assist him.
“Mexicans love me. Folks love me greater than they love him. Mexico doesn’t even love him. I’m going to indicate him who the actual Mexican warrior is,” Paul stated.
The showdown between Paul and Chávez Jr. comes after a proposed showdown between the Youtuber and Álvarez fell aside earlier this 12 months.
Paul might be near a battle in opposition to Álvarez, though earlier than that he might contemplate a matchup in opposition to Mexico’s Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez, who shall be defending his cruiserweight crown in opposition to Cuban Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs) on the Anaheim card.
“He has performed an excellent job. Perhaps sometime we are able to battle for titles. Now I’m the champion,” Ramírez, 33, stated about dealing with Paul.
Ramírez (47-1, 30 KOs) stated he would like to unify the Boxing Assn. title in opposition to Jai Opetaia, the Worldwide Boxing Federation champion. However earlier than that, he should dispatch Dorticos, who is understood for his highly effective punch.
“Los Angeles goes to shake. The knockout physician is again,” stated Dorticos, 39.
The cardboard is promoted by Most Invaluable Promotions at the side of Golden Boy Promotions, and can air on pay-per-view through DAZN.
This through L.A. Occasions en Español.
