Jake Paul’s next fight has been confirmed, but we will have to wait for that wild notion of a showdown against Anthony Joshua.
Instead ‘The Problem Child’ will face former world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on Saturday June 28 at Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The 39-year-old Mexican (54-6-1 with 34 wins inside distance) cut a controversial figure for much of his career, unsurprisingly failing to live up to the impossible standards set by his father, the great Julio Cesar Chavez – ‘El Gran Campeon’.
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The bout will be a standard 10-round men’s professional bout with three minute rounds and 10oz gloves, contested at 200lbs. The historic fight, an MVP Event, will air live globally on DAZN pay-per-view.
Jake (11-1, 7 KOs), despite not being everybody’s cup of tea, has definitely made his impact in the ring, earning high-profile victories over names like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz.
Jake Paul a big boxing deal
In his latest blockbuster fight in November 2024, Jake Paul defeated the Baddest Man on the Planet, Mike Tyson in a heavyweight bout in the first-ever live professional sporting event on Netflix. MVP’s Paul vs. Tyson shattered records, becoming the most-streamed sporting event ever with 108 million live viewers globally.
Paul has collected multiple accolades for his commitment to the sport of boxing, including ESPNRingside’s 2021 Knockout of the Year, Sports Illustrated’s 2021 Breakout Boxer of the Year, ESPNRingside’s 2022 Viral Moment of the Year, and was the cover of Sports Illustrated’s “The 50 Most Influential Figures in Sports” issue, awarded specifically for his groundbreaking work to revolutionise the sport through equitable pay, providing a platform for young fighters, and his support of female boxers. Paul also partnered with USA Boxing ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, continuing his mission to elevate the sport and its future champions.
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Paul and MVP are now promoting the biggest all-women’s card in boxing history, Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 on Friday, July 11 at Madison Square Garden, live globally on Netflix, which will feature women’s undisputed and unified championship bouts across its entire main card and six of the top 15 – and four of the top 10 – women’s pound-for-pound fighters per stats bible Boxrec.
Paul said: “Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion. I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish.
“Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico.”
Chavez Jr back in the big time
Chavez Jr explained: “First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life – mentally and physically.
“I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me. Unfortunately for their Problem Child, they’re going to have a big problem this June – one they won’t know how to resolve. Hopefully when I beat him, people won’t underestimate this win.”
‘Zurdo’ adds spice to big card
In the co-main event, Golden Boy’s 33-year-old WBO cruiserweight world champion and WBA cruiserweight super champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) – ESPN’s #2 cruiserweight in the world – will make a title defence against Cuba’s former WBA and IBF cruiserweight world champion, one of the best punchers in boxing and current WBA mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticós (27-2, 25 KOs) in a men’s world championship bout contested at 200lbs with twelve, three-minute rounds.
loss to Murat Gassiev in 2018. In 2019, he claimed the vacant IBF cruiserweight title with a knockout victory over Andrew Tabiti during the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), ultimately reaching the WBSS final, where he lost a close decision to Mairis Briedis. Known for his aggressive style and knockout power – evidenced by a record of 27 wins (25 by KO) and just 2 losses – Dorticós remains a respected force in the ring.
