Jake Paul might have finally locked in his next opponent—but it’s not the elite challenger many fans were hoping for. Instead, reports suggest he’s gearing up to face former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of the boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez. The internet is buzzing with reactions, ranging from disbelief to amusement over the rumored matchup.
Back on November 15, Jake Paul secured a win over 58-year-old Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium. Though the event was commercially successful, it faced backlash due to Tyson’s age and concerns about his well-being. Chavez Jr., on the other hand, has struggled to step out of his father’s shadow. Despite returning to the ring last year with a win—albeit against a former MMA fighter—his career has been marked by ups and downs, inconsistency, and personal troubles. Many fans are skeptical about his chances in this rumored showdown with Paul.
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According to reports from well-known boxing sources, a cruiserweight bout between Paul and Chavez Jr. is expected this summer, with an official confirmation anticipated soon. Online reaction has been swift. Some believe Paul is ducking serious competition, opting instead for an opponent past his prime. Others argue it’s more about showmanship and marketability than actual boxing merit.
Over the past months, Paul had teased matchups with major names like Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua, though those possibilities quickly faded. Interestingly, Chavez Jr. was originally scheduled to fight MMA fighter Darren Till on the same July 20 card that was set for the Tyson bout. Instead, he ended up facing Uriah Hall in November and won via unanimous decision.
Online critics didn’t hold back. Many questioned Paul’s pattern of choosing aging or less competitive fighters. One fan joked that Chavez Sr. might have been a better matchup, considering Paul’s recent trend. Others expressed concern about the state of boxing if Paul continues to edge closer to title opportunities without facing top contenders.
Still, not all opinions were harsh. Some see Chavez Jr. as a decent name for someone with Paul’s limited experience, even if he’s far from his best days. Though he’s no longer a dominant force, Chavez Jr. still holds more boxing credibility than many of Paul’s previous opponents.
Notably, there’s chatter that the fight might not be picked up by major streaming platforms like Netflix, which adds another layer of intrigue to the developing story.
In the end, this matchup leaves fans asking: Is this a legitimate step forward for Jake Paul—or just another strategic pick to keep the win streak alive without taking too much risk?