On June 28 in Anaheim, Jake Paul is set to return to the boxing ring, facing off against former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. This fight comes seven months after Paul went the full distance in a high-profile bout against 58-year-old Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium. The matchup with Chavez Jr. has stirred widespread conversation in the boxing community, with some questioning whether Chavez—aged 39 and the son of boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez—is simply the latest aging name on Paul’s controversial resume.
Chavez Jr., however, insists this fight is personal. Motivated by his long-standing admiration for Mike Tyson, a close friend of his father, he views this bout as a form of retribution. He has stated that he’s fully committed and unwilling to accept any dubious contractual clauses—like the rumored “no knockout” rule that was speculated to be part of Paul’s fight with Tyson.
In an interview with Eli Seckbach of ES News during his training camp, Chavez Jr. emphasized that this is a real fight, without gimmicks, oversized gloves, or pre-arranged outcomes. Struggling slightly with English, he was assisted by an associate who clarified there are no clauses preventing knockouts. Chavez himself firmly stated that he would never agree to such terms, and his associate added that Chavez wouldn’t “sell himself out.” The fight is scheduled for ten three-minute rounds.
This reassurance might comfort skeptical fans who have grown wary of Paul’s events, often perceived as more entertainment than sport. Chavez Jr.’s clear rejection of scripted elements helps lend credibility to the matchup.
Originally, Chavez Jr. was rumored to be in talks to fight KSI, another influencer-turned-boxer, but he ultimately chose Paul instead. He explained that Paul is the bigger draw and emphasized that money wasn’t his main motivator. “The opportunity to beat him is the business of this fight,” he said, making it clear that his focus is on defeating Paul, not chasing a paycheck.
Chavez also confirmed earlier claims that part of his motivation is to defend Mike Tyson’s honor, expressing deep respect for the boxing icon. He stated he was proud to be the first real professional boxer to step into the ring with Jake Paul after the Tyson bout.
Still, fans are advised to remain cautious. Given Paul’s promotional history, unexpected changes and dramatic twists close to the fight are always possible. While the Tyson fight had no official no-knockout clause, it was held under modified rules, leaving open the possibility that this bout could also come with unique stipulations.
Nonetheless, Chavez Jr.’s firm stance and clear intentions are helping to frame this as a more authentic boxing match than some of Paul’s past events.