Former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested by U.S. ICE agents and apprehended in Los Angeles’ Studio City neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says the 39-year-old Mexican boxer was arrested on account of an active warrant that had been issued in Mexico.
The arrest follows just a few days after Chavez Jr. lost to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Anaheim, California—a defeat that added to a series of woes in his career.
Serious Criminal Allegations in Mexico
Chavez Jr. is charged with having ties to organized crime in Mexico. Mexican authorities say he has been implicated in smuggling illegal guns, ammunition, and explosive materials. Those charges are part of a broader investigation into the lucrative Sinaloa Cartel, Mexico’s most vicious criminal network.
The DHS said Chavez Jr. was subject to immediate deportation through expedited removal proceedings for his purported criminal association and immigration offenses.
A Legacy Marred by Legal Scandal
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is the son of legendary boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., who is widely considered to have been one of Mexico’s all-time great boxers. Although Chavez Jr. held a world championship title and had potential early in his career, his legal woes and questionable antics have continued to tarnish his legacy.
US reports suggest that Chavez Jr. has been involved in several court cases in the United States over the last few years. In 2023, he was charged with issuing warrants for purportedly smuggling weapons for a criminal group. In 2024, he was convicted of owning automatic weapons.
Immigration Fraud and Visa Violations
Chavez Jr. reportedly applied for U.S. citizenship last year through a marriage-based immigration petition. However, authorities have now flagged this application as suspicious. DHS alleges that Chavez Jr. provided false statements to immigration officers during the process.
Additionally, officials noted that his tourist visa expired in February 2024, yet he remained in the country illegally. This violation adds further weight to the deportation proceedings currently underway.
Connections to Drug Cartel Leadership
U.S. officials have also referenced Chavez Jr.’s potential indirect link to the deceased Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former boss of the Sinaloa Cartel. DHS says that Chavez Jr.’s wife had a past relationship with El Chapo’s son. While not an offense on its own, officials assert the connection supports a broader trend of connections to criminal groups.
Legal Defense Pushes Back
Chavez Jr.’s lawyer has categorically denied all the allegations, terming the arrest an attempt to instill fear in the Latin American community in the United States. The legal team has maintained that the charges are politically driven and not supported by enough evidence.
In spite of such allegations, Chavez Jr. is still in ICE custody and is likely to be deported to Mexico after a short legal proceeding. His lawyers are searching for all possible means to oppose the deportation.
Final Word
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s decline from boxing celebrity to a legal mess represents the intricacies of fame, immigration, and accused criminal behavior. As the situation unfolds, more information is to come regarding his associations, legal representation, and the future of his career.
