Well, This Escalated Quickly: Chavez Jr. Gets Busted by ICE Days After Getting Schooled by Jake Paul

By Lewis Barnett 3 July, 2025 6 mins read 43 Views

Holy hell. Just when you think boxing can't get any weirder, life throws you a curveball that makes Jake Paul look like the least controversial person in the room.

So here's what went down: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. - you know, the guy who just got his ass handed to him by a YouTuber-turned-boxer on Saturday - is now sitting in ICE custody. And it's not for overstaying his welcome at some LA nightclub.

Hear the Summary

The Cartel Connection Nobody Saw Coming

Turns out our boy Julio had some serious baggage. We're talking organized crime, arms trafficking, and alleged connections to the Sinaloa Cartel. Yeah, that Sinaloa Cartel - the one run by El Chapo before he got locked up in a supermax prison.

ICE didn't mess around with their statement either. They basically said: "We got this criminal illegal alien who's been playing dress-up as a legitimate athlete." Ouch.

The Department of Homeland Security dropped this bombshell today, explaining that Chavez has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives. Not exactly the kind of resume you want when you're trying to become a permanent US resident.

Marriage, Lies, and El Chapo's Dead Son

Here's where it gets really messy. Chavez came to the US in August 2023 on a tourist visa, then tried to get permanent residency through marriage to a US citizen. Sounds legit, right?

Wrong.

Apparently, he had a prior relationship with one of El Chapo's sons - who's now dead, by the way. The feds say this connection, plus some fraudulent statements on his application, basically torpedoed any chance he had of staying here legally.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin didn't hold back: "This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate with an active arrest warrant for trafficking guns, ammunition, and explosives was arrested by ICE." She went on to say it was "shocking" that the previous administration flagged him as a public safety threat but didn't prioritize his removal.

From Boxing Ring to Handcuffs

The timeline here is absolutely wild. Chavez got arrested by LAPD back on January 7th for illegal possession of an assault weapon and manufacturing a short-barreled rifle. He was convicted on those charges.

Then Mexico issued a warrant for his arrest on January 14, 2023, for organized crime involving weapons trafficking and manufacturing. The specific charges mention "clandestinely bringing weapons, ammunition, cartridges, explosives into the country" and manufacturing weapons without permits.

And somehow, this guy was still allowed to fight Jake Paul last month? The optics are just... wow.

The Jake Paul Fight Feels Different Now

Looking back at that June 28th fight, Chavez's loss to Jake Paul hits differently. Here's a guy with a 54-7-1 record - legitimate boxing credentials - getting outclassed by someone who started boxing professionally like five minutes ago.

Maybe he had other things on his mind? Like, I don't know, federal agents breathing down his neck?

Poor Jake Paul probably thought beating a former champion was his biggest accomplishment that week. Little did he know he was fighting someone who might've been planning his exit strategy from the country.

Trump's ICE Isn't Playing Games

The new administration's message couldn't be clearer. McLaughlin made sure everyone got the memo: "Under President Trump, no one is above the law—including world-famous athletes. Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences."

She ended with what sounds like a campaign slogan: "The days of unchecked cartel violence are over."

Whether you agree with the politics or not, you've got to admit - they're not messing around with the messaging here.

What Happens Next?

Chavez is currently being processed for "expedited removal" from the United States. Translation: he's getting kicked out, fast.

The guy who was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, and started his professional boxing career back in September 2002, is about to find himself back where he started. Except now he's got Mexican authorities waiting for him with handcuffs instead of boxing gloves.

This whole situation makes you wonder how many other athletes are walking around with skeletons in their closets. Boxing has always attracted characters from the margins of society, but this is next-level stuff.

One thing's for sure - Jake Paul's victory over Chavez Jr. just became a lot more complicated to celebrate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What diet should a beginning boxer follow to get the best results?

Beginner boxers should eat a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates for energy, proteins for muscle growth and repair, healthy fats to increase endurance, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in vitamins and minerals. It is also important to stay hydrated. So, drink lots of water during, before and after training.

Can I learn boxing at home?

If you want to be sure that you are learning the right techniques, you should train in a boxing gym with an experienced coach. A boxing club also offers the equipment you need and the chance to work with other people.

Is it a good idea to box in order to be fit?

Yes, boxing improves overall fitness. This full-body workout is intense and improves cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, endurance coordination and agility. Moreover, it is an effective form of stress relief and can boost your confidence and discipline.

How important is recovery in boxing training?

Boxing is all about recovery, as it allows you to grow stronger and heal faster. Recovery is aided by proper rest, stretching exercises, sufficient sleep, hydration as well as a nutritious and balanced diet. Ignoring the recovery process can lead to injuries, overtraining, and decreased performance.

Statistics

Studies show that proper hand wrapping can reduce the chance of hand and wrist injuries by as much as 40%.
An analysis of boxing workouts demonstrates that participants can maintain a heart rate at 75-85% of their maximum, which is the optimal range for cardiovascular training.
Boxing has one of the lowest rates of injury compared to other contact sports, with approximately 1.1 injuries per 1,000 minutes of athletics.
Women are joining boxing in increasing numbers, rising by about 15% in the past decade, indicating growing gender diversity in the sport.
Beginner boxers tend to make the mistake of holding their breath in 70% of cases during their initial training sessions.
Research indicates that nearly 70% of punches thrown by boxers during a match are jabs.
Around 90% of boxers suffer a minor injury over the course of a year, with only 10-15% experiencing a moderate to severe injury.
On average, beginner boxers improve their punching power by 10%-20% after six months of consistent training.
Nearly 80% of boxing training injuries are related to incorrect technique, especially within the first three months of taking up the sport.
Approximately 80% of boxing injuries occur during training, not in actual competition.

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How To

How to prepare for a first boxing match

It is important to be mentally and physically prepared for your first boxing contest. Focus on technique, endurance and strategy as you increase the intensity of training. The mental preparation should include relaxation and visualization techniques. You should also ensure you get enough rest and follow a diet plan that will fuel your body. You can review your opponent's previous fights and discuss your strategy with your trainer.

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