At 39 years old, and despite a recent lull in his boxing career, Julio César Chávez Jr. remains a draw for fans. This Friday’s announcement confirms he’ll be facing off against Jake Paul in a highly anticipated match-up. This June clash will headline a pay-per-view event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, also featuring current cruiserweight world champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez.
The Chávez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs) and Paul (11-1, 7 KOs) fight will be a 10-round bout with a 200-pound weight limit. Unlike Paul’s previous highly-viewed fight against Mike Tyson, this one will feature three-minute rounds. This fight has been in the works for months, with Paul himself previously admitting the possibility, though he expressed a preference for a “tougher” opponent.
The pairing of Chávez Jr. and Paul is a compelling one, built on the undeniable popularity of both men. Paul, a hugely successful influencer, has cleverly leveraged his fame to build a boxing career. While his opponents haven’t always been the most challenging – victories over older MMA fighters like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz, and a less-than-impressive Mike Tyson – he consistently draws large audiences.
Chávez Jr., who just a year ago navigated a legal case in Los Angeles involving illegal weapons possession, adds to the list of fighters past their prime stepping into the ring with Paul. Their shared popularity guarantees a strong ticket sales. Chávez Jr.’s return to the ring last June—after a 31-month absence—was marked by a lackluster performance and boos, but his mere participation was a victory considering his legal troubles. As Chávez Jr. himself stated, “First of all, I will demonstrate what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life, mentally and physically. I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger… Hopefully, when I win (against Paul), people won’t underestimate this victory.”
The co-main event in Anaheim will feature Golden Boy Promotions’ star fighter, 33-year-old “Zurdo” Ramírez. He’ll defend his WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles against former world champion Yuniel Dorticós (39 years old, 27-2, 25 KOs). Ramírez has become known for his exciting, action-packed fights, as evidenced by his November victory over Chris Billam-Smith in Saudi Arabia, where he unified championships. He expressed his excitement about the upcoming fight, stating, “I’m excited to step into the ring again in June and defend my WBA and WBO titles. This fight marks my mandatory defense for the WBA, and I know I need to get past this opponent to be on the road to greatness and become the undisputed champion.”
This stacked card promises a night of thrilling boxing action, with a mix of established names and rising stars. It’s a fight night that boxing fans won’t want to miss!
