US immigration authorities arrested renowned Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. on Thursday and placed him in accelerated deportation proceedings, the Department of Homeland Security announced. Officials from the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that Chávez Jr., who recently battled YouTuber Jake Paul in a California ring, faces outstanding criminal charges in Mexico.
The 39-year-old fighter, whose father Julio César Chávez Sr. remains a boxing icon, was taken into custody in Los Angeles' Studio City area for suspected ties to organized criminal enterprises and illegal arms trafficking operations. Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Trisha McLaughlin stated, "Under President Trump, no one is above the law, including world-famous athletes."
"Chavez is a Mexican citizen who has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Chavez is also believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. ICE arrested Chavez in Studio City, California, on July 2. US Citizenship and Immigration Services made a referral to ICE that Chavez is an egregious public safety threat," the DHS statement said.
McLaughlin issued a stern warning, saying, "Our message to any cartel affiliates in the US is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over."
The boxer's American legal troubles span over a decade. Authorities arrested him in 2012 for driving under the influence without proper licensing and again in January 2024 for unlawful firearm possession. Mexican authorities currently seek his extradition for alleged criminal activities connecting him to prominent cartel operations. His deportation will severely impact his professional boxing prospects, effectively barring him from competing on American soil.
Chávez Jr. has established himself as a prominent figure in professional boxing, having faced elite competitors, including Canelo Álvarez. The WBC crowned him middleweight world champion in 2011, a title he defended for 15 months. His recent Saturday night bout against internet celebrity Jake Paul ended in defeat, dropping his professional record to 54-6-1.
