Jake Paul Scores a Stunning Victory Over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in His Biggest Win Ever and Nails the Former Champion’s Career
On June 28, 2025, Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, achieved a monumental milestone in his burgeoning boxing career by securing a unanimous decision victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The cruiserweight bout, broadcast live on DAZN PPV, saw Paul dominate the early rounds, ultimately winning with judges’ scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92. This victory, Paul’s sixth consecutive win, not only solidified his place in the boxing world but also cast a harsh spotlight on Chavez Jr.’s fading career, prompting speculation about the former champion’s retirement.
From the opening bell, Paul, now 12-1 with 7 knockouts, showcased his tactical discipline, leveraging his jab to control the ring and dictate the pace. Chavez Jr., at 39 years old and with a record of 54-7-1, appeared listless, barely throwing punches in the first few rounds. The son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., he struggled to find his rhythm, allowing Paul to build a commanding lead. The sold-out, pro-Chavez crowd, energized by a mariachi band serenading their fighter’s entrance, grew increasingly frustrated as Chavez failed to mount a significant offense. Paul’s aggressive pressure, coupled with precise body shots and occasional power punches, exposed Chavez’s lack of urgency, with CompuBox noting that Chavez landed zero punches in the opening round.
The fight’s narrative shifted slightly in the later rounds, particularly in the ninth and tenth, when Chavez finally showed glimpses of his former prowess. Landing heavy hooks and a thudding uppercut, he briefly rattled a tiring Paul, who admitted to fading late in the bout. However, Chavez’s late surge was insufficient to overcome the early deficit. Paul’s resilience shone through as he weathered the storm, continuing to throw combinations until the final bell. Chavez later acknowledged his slow start, stating, “I thought I lost the first five rounds, so I tried to win the last rounds. He’s strong, a good boxer for the first three, four rounds. After that, I felt he was tired.” Despite the effort, Chavez’s performance reinforced perceptions of a career in decline, marred by a history of weight issues, failed drug tests, and inconsistent showings.
Paul, at 28, capitalized on this victory to elevate his ambitions. Post-fight, he boldly called out cruiserweight champions Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez and Badou Jack, as well as high-profile names like Anthony Joshua and Gervonta “Tank” Davis, signaling his intent to pursue a world title. “I want tougher fighters, and I want to be a world champion,” Paul declared, dismissing Ramirez’s performance in the co-main event as “slow.” The victory could propel Paul into the WBC cruiserweight rankings, with president Mauricio Sulaiman indicating that a convincing win might secure him a top-15 spot, a controversial prospect for boxing purists who question Paul’s unorthodox path to prominence.
Chavez Jr.’s lackluster showing has intensified calls for his retirement. Once a middleweight champion who defended his title three times from 2011 to 2012, Chavez has struggled to live up to his father’s legacy. His career, plagued by personal and professional setbacks, including a 2021 loss to 46-year-old Anderson Silva, has seen him win only six of his last eleven fights. The Anaheim crowd, while initially supportive, could not mask their disappointment as Chavez’s effort fell short of expectations. His father, visibly frustrated at ringside, could only watch as Paul dismantled his son’s legacy.
For Paul, this fight marked a pivotal moment. His ability to outclass a former champion, even one past his prime, underscores his growth as a fighter. Critics argue that Paul’s resume, built on bouts against aging or non-traditional boxers, lacks the rigor of a conventional contender’s path. Yet, his promotional savvy and financial clout—evidenced by the $40 million earned from his November 2024 fight against Mike Tyson—make a title shot increasingly plausible. The WBC and WBA have hinted at ranking him, a move that could fast-track him to elite matchups.
As Paul celebrated amidst boos from the crowd, his defiance was palpable: “All the boos are words, but actions speak louder than words.” For Chavez Jr., the loss may signal the end, with many believing Paul’s victory has effectively nailed the coffin shut on his career. Meanwhile, Paul’s journey, controversial yet captivating, continues to reshape the boxing landscape, one headline-grabbing fight at a time.
