Boxer Nabbed by ICE Days After Jake Paul Fight
Just days ago, he was trading punches under arena lights. Now, he's behind bars facing deportation. The story of Julio César Chávez Jr. has taken a sharp left turn — one that even boxing fans didn't see coming.
A Fateful Week in California
Julio César Chávez Jr., the 39-year-old son of legendary Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Sr., was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on July 2 outside his Studio City home in Los Angeles.
The arrest came just four days after he faced YouTube celebrity-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a high-profile bout in Anaheim, which he lost by unanimous decision.
This wasn't just about an expired tourist visa.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Chávez Jr. entered the US legally in August 2023 on a B2 tourist visa, which expired in February 2024. In April, he filed for permanent residency through marriage to a US citizen — a woman whom DHS officials say has ties to the infamous Sinaloa Cartel due to a past relationship with one of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzmán's deceased sons.
Allegations and Arrest Warrants
Homeland Security claims that Chávez Jr. lied on his residency application and is currently wanted in Mexico. Authorities there allege he has ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and was involved in organized crime, including firearms trafficking and using his boxing skills to physically assault rival gang members. According to intercepted phone calls cited by Mexican prosecutors and reporting by Penn Live, Chávez allegedly beat captives "like a punchbag," sometimes while they hung upside down.
These calls were reportedly recorded between December 2021 and June 2022.
In addition to cartel-related allegations, Chávez Jr. has a criminal record in the U.S. He was previously convicted of DUI in 2012 and arrested in 2024 for illegal possession of assault weapons in Los Angeles, including two AR-style ghost rifles. He was participating in a court-ordered pretrial diversion program when ICE made its arrest. He missed his scheduled court appearance on July 7.
Legal Limbo
At the time of his arrest, Chávez was reportedly on a scooter outside his residence. His attorney, Michael Goldstein, told multiple outlets that they have no idea where he is currently being held. "We have no information. Unfortunately," he told USA TODAY Sports.
Despite the uncertainty, deportation proceedings are reportedly underway. DHS says it is processing him for expedited removal due to overstaying his visa and submitting fraudulent statements.
Mexico's Attorney General confirmed that an arrest warrant was issued against "Julio C" in March 2023 for organized crime and arms trafficking. Mexican authorities began extradition proceedings shortly after ICE took Chávez Jr. into custody. President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her expectation that Chávez will serve a sentence in Mexico.
Family, Fame, and Fallout
Chávez Jr.'s family has publicly backed him. "We have full confidence in his innocence," they said in a statement reported by the Los Angeles Times, according to ESPN. Still, the boxer's past — which includes a battle with addiction, legal troubles, and a career marked by inconsistency — has left many fans divided on his fate.
His attorney called the government's claims "outrageous and simply another headline to terrorize the community," according to CNN.
What Happens Next?
As of July 9, Chávez Jr.'s name still does not appear in ICE's online detainee database. His legal team is expected to return to court on Aug. 21 to address the missed hearing related to his earlier weapons charge — assuming he hasn't been deported by then.
In the meantime, the boxing world watches, not from ringside, but from the sidelines, waiting to see where Chávez Jr.'s next fight will take place — in a courtroom, in a detention center, or across the border in Mexico.
References: Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. detained by ICE and on track to be deported just days after fighting Jake Paul | Mexican boxer arrested by ICE allegedly beat rival gang members 'like a punchbag' | Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. arrested by ICE, to be deported | Chávez Jr. misses court for case unrelated to ICE arrest, lawyer says status unknown
