Jake Paul's Most Legit Test Yet: Can He Handle a Former World Champion
Jake Paul faces his toughest boxing test yet against former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr. in a high-stakes showdown. We break down Chávez Jr.’s championship pedigree, the legacy of his legendary father, and how he compares to Paul’s past opponents.
OC Staff - June 27, 2025, 10:00 PM EDT
4 Minute ReadJake Paul’s Most Legit Test Yet: Can He Handle a Former World Champion?
Jake Paul’s journey from YouTube rebel to legitimate boxing attraction has been anything but conventional. Along the way, he's fought retired MMA fighters, basketball players, and aging legends but this Saturday, June 28, Paul faces something entirely different: a former world champion with boxing blood running through his veins.
Enter Julio César Chávez Jr., the son of one of the greatest boxers in history and a fighter who, despite his ups and downs, represents the most credible threat Paul has faced in a boxing ring.
Who Is Julio César Chávez Jr.?
Julio César Chávez Jr. is the son of Mexican legend Julio César Chávez Sr., a six-time world champion widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of all time. Chávez Jr. came into the sport with immense pressure and for a time, lived up to the hype.
- Former WBC middleweight champion
- Record: 53-6-1 (34 KOs)
- Went 12 rounds with Canelo Álvarez (2017)
Chávez Jr. never reached the heights of his father, but he was a real world champion with power, and years of experience against elite-level boxers.
How Chávez Jr. Compares to Jake Paul's Past Opponents
Jake Paul has compiled an 11-1 professional record, but most of his opponents have shared a key trait: they weren’t boxers.
Here’s how Chávez Jr. stacks up:
Opponent | Background | Real Boxer? | Notable Notes |
Ben Askren | Retired MMA (wrestler) | NO | Knocked out in 1st round |
Tyron Woodley (x2) | Retired MMA (striker) | NO | Split decision + KO in rematch |
Anderson Silva | Retired MMA (striker) | NO | Former UFC champ; 47 years old |
Nate Diaz | Retired MMA (volume) | NO | Durable but lacks boxing fundamentals |
Tommy Fury | Professional boxer | YES | Gave Paul his only loss (via decision) |
Chávez Jr. | Ex-World Champion | YES | Fought Canelo; real championship pedigree |
Only Tommy Fury had a true boxing background — and he beat Paul, albeit narrowly. Chávez Jr., despite his recent decline, is levels above Fury in both resume and experience.
Chávez Jr.’s career has been erratic over the last decade. He’s missed weight, pulled out of fights, and been accused of lacking discipline. But even a 50% version of Chávez Jr. might be more than Paul has dealt with in the past.
He’s got ring IQ that Paul has never faced, a history of going deep into fights (12 rounds vs. Canelo), and a chip on his shoulder to reclaim legitimacy.
This litmus test will tell us whether Paul can hang with a seasoned, battle-tested boxer, or if he’s still a level below the elite.
This is Paul’s most legit opponent by far. On Saturday, we’ll find out if he’s ready for the next chapter
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