Jake Paul set to box former WBC champion in next fight
Jake Paul will return to the ring against former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., following his high-profile win over Mike Tyson in November.
Jake Paul has reportedly lined up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as his next opponent, according to The Ring Magazine. The YouTuber-turned-boxer, now 11-1 as a professional, will face Chavez Jr. at cruiserweight later this year, though the date and location remain unconfirmed.
Jake Paul is set to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in a cruiserweight bout this summer, sources tell The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.
Chavez most recently fought on Paul's undercard in July 2024, his first fight since 2021. pic.twitter.com/DJbPMTJQXAChavez Jr. (54-6-1) held the WBC Middleweight title from 2011 to 2012 and is the most seasoned boxer Paul has faced. The 38-year-old went the distance with Canelo Alvarez in 2017 and is the son of Mexican boxing icon Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest fighters.
Paul, 28, recently defeated 58-year-old Tyson by decision in a bout that drew more than 108 million live viewers on Netflix, making it the most streamed sporting event in history. However, his upcoming clash with Chavez Jr. will not air on the platform.
The fighters share a common opponent in Anderson Silva. Chavez Jr. lost to Silva in 2021 during the UFC legend’s return to boxing, while Paul scored a unanimous decision victory over the former middleweight champion in 2022.
Chavez Jr. has also called out Paul in the past, following his win over ex-UFC contender Uriah Hall. That fight, which took place on Paul’s undercard, ended in a decision victory for Chavez.
Paul’s career includes wins over five UFC veterans, including Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Silva. His only professional loss came via split decision against Tommy Fury in 2023.