Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is in hot water. The Mexican boxer, son of a boxing legend, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 2, 2025, just days after losing to Jake Paul in a cruiserweight bout. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says Chavez is being deported to Mexico, where he faces charges for organized crime and weapons trafficking. This bombshell dropped right after his high-profile fight, putting his troubled career back in the spotlight.
ICE’s Swift Move
ICE didn’t waste time.
“On July 2, ICE arrested Mexican boxer and criminal illegal alien Julio Cesar Chavez Jr,” DHS announced on social media. “He is now being processed for expedited removal from the United States. This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunitions, and explosives.”
The statement added, “Under President Trump, NO ONE is above the law, including world-famous athletes.”
DHS claims Chavez entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in August 2023, which expired in February 2024. They also accuse him of lying on a green card application.
“Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear,” DHS said. “We will find you and you will face consequences. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.” Chavez’s attorney, Michael Goldstein, told the Associated Press that authorities are using his client’s fame to scare immigrant communities.
On July 2, ICE arrested Mexican boxer and criminal illegal alien Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
He is now being processed for expedited removal from the United States. This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and… pic.twitter.com/c4QeRVpCEr
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 3, 2025
Chavez, 39, fought Paul on June 28, 2025, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, losing by unanimous decision with scores of 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92. The fight, a big draw, set a record for the largest boxing gate in Honda Center history. Chavez weighed in at 198.4 pounds but ballooned to 213.5 pounds on fight night, heavier than Paul’s 209.1 pounds. It was his first fight since 2023, following a long battle with drug addiction that led him to a rehab clinic in Sinaloa.
Chavez’s career has been a rollercoaster. The son of Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., a Hall of Fame boxer and Mexican icon, he won the WBC middleweight title in 2011 against Sebastian Zbik and defended it three times. With a 54-7-1 record and 34 knockouts, he was once seen as his father’s heir. But legal troubles, failed drug tests, and discipline issues derailed him. In 2024, he was arrested in Los Angeles for unlawful possession of an assault weapon. He also faced a DUI conviction and other charges in the past, tarnishing his legacy.
The ICE arrest adds to his woes. DHS says Chavez has an active warrant in Mexico for trafficking firearms and explosives, tied to alleged Sinaloa Cartel links. Despite entering the U.S. legally in January 2025, he was flagged as a public safety threat due to his history. His fight with Paul was a chance at redemption, but the loss and now this arrest have shifted the narrative.
Chavez is in ICE custody, awaiting deportation. He faces serious charges in Mexico, which could lead to jail time if convicted. His team is fighting the removal, with Goldstein arguing it’s unfair to target Chavez for his fame. Jake Paul reacted with a U.S. flag post on social media, staying silent otherwise.
