Chavez Sr Dismisses Jake Paul Threat Ahead of Showdown With Son

Boxing legend says there’s “no way” Jake Paul beats Chavez Jr in June 28 clash

In a sport that thrives on hype, legacy, and a healthy dose of ego, it takes a lot to steal the spotlight. But when Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, one of boxing’s all-time greats, speaks up—people listen. And this week, he had plenty to say about Jake Paul and his upcoming bout with Chavez’s son, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

At a press conference in California ahead of the June 28 showdown at the Honda Center in Anaheim, the 62-year-old Mexican icon dismissed any notion that the YouTuber-turned-boxer could pose a serious threat.

“There’s no way Jake Paul beats my son,” Chavez Sr said with characteristic conviction. “Jake is young and strong, but he’s never fought anyone like Julio.”

And just like that, a fight already buzzing with intrigue found itself injected with an old-school dose of pride and family honour.

Paul’s rise—and the controversy that comes with it

Paul aims to ’embarrass’ former world champion Chavez Jr

Jake Paul, 28, is no stranger to criticism. From his days as a Disney Channel actor to his rise as a YouTube star, Paul’s venture into professional boxing has been met with skepticism from the boxing purists.

He holds a professional record of 11 wins and just one loss, but most of those victories have come against ex-MMA fighters or ageing opponents. His most high-profile bout to date came last November, when he beat a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a spectacle that many called more of an exhibition than a genuine contest.

That result, however, did little to silence critics—or convince Chavez Sr.

“I would’ve given Mike Tyson a better fight,” the elder Chavez scoffed. “He didn’t even throw one punch the whole fight.”

Paul has made it clear, though, that he views the Chavez Jr fight as a stepping stone to a legitimate world title opportunity, possibly in the cruiserweight division. Bold? Absolutely. But then again, boldness has been Paul’s brand from day one.

“Going from Disney Channel to YouTube to world champion in six or seven years?” Paul said. “That’s the most relatable and best sports story any kid can get behind.”

And just to stir the pot a little more, Paul added: “Put both the Chavezs in there, I’ll whoop Sr and Jr in the same night.”

Chavez Jr isn’t impressed: “He’s missing many steps”

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, now 39, might not carry the same mystique as his father, but he does have a boxing pedigree that Paul can only dream of. A former WBC middleweight champion, Chavez Jr has 53 wins in 61 professional fights and once went the distance with pound-for-pound king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez back in 2017.

Granted, the past few years have been rocky. His last high-profile appearance came in 2021, when he lost a decision to former UFC champion Anderson Silva in a result that raised questions about his commitment and discipline. And in July 2023, his laboured win over Uriah Hall saw him booed by fans after calling out Paul in the ring.

But if there’s one thing Chavez Jr has plenty of, it’s pride. And facing a man he clearly sees as an outsider trying to play at the real game has lit a fire in him.

“Jake has never fought anyone like me. Mike Tyson wasn’t even a fighter anymore,” Chavez Jr said. “He doesn’t know what’s coming. He’s missing a lot of steps in this sport.”

Camp confidence: Chavez Sr sees something different in his son

While questions remain about Chavez Jr’s focus and hunger, his father has been impressed with what he’s seen during training camp.

“I haven’t seen him train like this in years,” said Chavez Sr, a former three-division world champion. “If he keeps this up until the fight, there’s no way Jake Paul is going to beat my son.”

That kind of endorsement from a man widely regarded as Mexico’s greatest boxer is not handed out lightly. But Chavez Sr seems to believe that this fight—more than just a paycheck or a sideshow—is an opportunity for his son to remind the world what he’s capable of.

And perhaps it’s also a chance to protect the family name from being dragged into the sport’s modern circus.

A battle of eras, styles, and philosophies

Make no mistake—this isn’t just a fight between two very different athletes. It’s a clash of ideologies. In one corner, Chavez Jr represents old-school boxing: born into it, trained in it, and shaped by the tough Mexican tradition. In the other corner, Jake Paul is the poster boy for boxing’s new era: spectacle over substance, buzz over belts, clicks over craft.

Paul has plenty of critics, but also a growing number of fans who appreciate his hustle and audacity. Whether he’s earned the right to step in the ring with a former world champion is up for debate, but there’s no denying that he’s made himself relevant in a sport that often struggles to attract younger audiences.

If nothing else, Paul has brought eyes—and money—back to boxing. And that’s something even the purists have to acknowledge.

What’s at stake on June 28?

For Chavez Jr, the stakes are high. A loss to Jake Paul would all but erase any lingering credibility he has in the sport. For someone once seen as Mexico’s next great hope, it would be a painful blow—not just professionally, but personally.

For Jake Paul, this is his chance to prove he’s more than just a flashy novelty act. Beating Chavez Jr, even a past-his-prime version, would be his biggest scalp to date and could force the boxing world to start taking him a bit more seriously.

Love him or hate him, Jake Paul has created a career out of proving doubters wrong. But on June 28, he’ll be stepping into a ring not just with a fighter, but with a family’s legacy—and one that’s fiercely protected by one of the greatest names in boxing history.