Jake Paul Prevails at Honda Center, Defeats Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/ Most Valuable Promotions

ANAHEIM — In a high-stakes cruiserweight bout on Saturday, June 28, Jake Paul secured a unanimous decision victory over former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. at the Honda Center, stamping his mark on the boxing world with scores of 99–91, 98–92, and 97–93 in his favor  . The event shattered the venue’s all-time gate record, further fueling Paul’s meteoric rise from YouTube celebrity to serious pay-per-view draw  .

In the weeks leading up to the clash, Paul wasted little time laying down the gauntlet. “I will embarrass him in the ring and make him quit,” he declared back in mid-May, pledging to dominate every second  . On the eve of the fight, his confidence remained unshaken as he predicted a first-round knockout via his trademark right hook  .

Chávez Jr., 39, entered the ring with the weight of his family legacy on his shoulders and hinted that a loss might force him into retirement. Despite being a sizeable underdog on the odds board, he insisted he felt “10 years younger” in camp and vowed to quiet the doubters by “showing I still belong at the top”  .

Once the opening bell rang, Paul proved his pre-fight declarations more than hype. He controlled the first seven rounds with crisp combinations and superior footwork, landing nearly twice as many punches as Chávez according to official tallies  . Although Chávez managed to rally in rounds eight and nine with bursts of aggression, it wasn’t enough to overcome Paul’s early lead.

As the tenth—and final—round unfolded, Chávez Jr. unleashed a spirited flurry, briefly energizing the crowd. “I thought I lost the first five rounds, so I tried to win the last rounds,” he admitted afterward, conceding the gap was too wide to bridge  .

When the verdict was read, boos echoed through the arena, to which Paul responded with characteristic bravado: “All the boos are awards… it was flawless. I think I only got hit about 10 times,” he said, adding that Chávez Jr. had proven himself “a Mexican warrior” despite the loss  .

Chávez Jr. offered a gracious, if reflective, post-fight appraisal: “He’s strong, but I don’t think he’s ready for the champions yet,” he said, vowing to continue fighting despite the setback  . His father’s legacy safe for now, he hinted at returning to the gym to rebuild.

For Paul, the win marks his 12th professional triumph and cements his status as boxing’s most bankable newcomer. Already calling for bouts against cruiserweight titleholder Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramírez and other marquee names, Paul appears poised to leverage this victory into even bigger opportunities—and perhaps finally silence his harshest critics.