Julio César Chávez Jr. Arrested by ICE — Here’s What Happened
Boxers Cesar Chavez Jr,, left, smiles towards his father Julio Cesar Chavez, Mexico's former world champion, during a boxing news conference at the Avalon Hollywood Theatre in Los Angeles, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested by federal agents in Studio City, California, on Wednesday (July 2). In a statement released on Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Chávez, who is being processed for what the agency called “expedited removal from the United States.”
The news comes four days after Chávez Jr. fought Jake Paul at Honda Center in Anaheim. Paul won that fight and moved to 12-1 in his professional career with the unanimous decision victory.
According to DHS, Chávez Jr. is being deported because he “has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives.” The agency claims Chávez Jr. is an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
In December of last year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services made a referral to ICE that marked him a public safety threat. However, he was not considered an immigration enforcement priority at the time.
“This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate with an active arrest warrant for trafficking guns, ammunition, and explosives was arrested by ICE,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, adding, “Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”
Chávez Jr. had applied for Lawful Permanent Resident status last year, on the basis of his
marriage to a U.S. citizen. DHS said in their statement that his wife was connected to the Sinaloa Cartel through a prior relationship with the now-deceased son of the infamous cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Julio César Chávez Jr. is the son of former three-weight world champion Julio César Chávez. He’s fought professionally 63 times, with 54 victories.