Famous Mexican Boxer Linked to Cartel Arrested by ICE After Jake Paul Beatdown [WATCH]

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 2, just four days after his widely publicized fight against Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.

According to an announcement released Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Chavez was taken into custody and is now undergoing processing for expedited removal from the United States.

The agency cited his active arrest warrant in Mexico and alleged links to the Sinaloa Cartel.

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“On July 2, ICE arrested Mexican boxer and criminal illegal alien Julio César Chávez Jr.,” DHS stated in a post on X.

DHS further stated that Chavez, a former WBC middleweight champion, initially entered the U.S. legally on a B2 tourist visa in August 2023.

“I’m going to beat his ass and send him back to Mexico.”

This Jake Paul quote did not age well for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. pic.twitter.com/oRuJgWEp6b

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) July 3, 2025

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That visa expired in February 2024.

In April 2024, Chavez filed an application for Lawful Permanent Resident status, citing his marriage to a U.S. citizen.

However, according to DHS, his marriage-based green card application was flagged due to ties between his U.S. citizen spouse and the Sinaloa Cartel.

The connection stems from a prior relationship the spouse allegedly had with a deceased son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, the former cartel leader now serving a life sentence in a U.S. federal prison.

DHS noted that Chavez’s application contained “multiple fraudulent statements,” which led to his current status being classified as unlawful.

In December 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services referred Chavez’s case to ICE, describing him as “an egregious public safety threat.”

Despite this, DHS stated that Chavez was not listed as an immigration enforcement priority in a Department of Homeland Security system under the Biden-Harris administration.

As a result, Chavez was permitted to leave the country and later reenter in January 2025 through the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

“It is shocking the previous administration flagged this criminal illegal alien as a public safety threat, but chose to not prioritize his removal and let him leave and COME BACK into our country,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

“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. The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.”

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’s arrest came shortly after his bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on June 29 at the Honda Center.

Paul defeated Chavez by unanimous decision after 10 rounds.

The win earned Paul a spot in the World Boxing Association cruiserweight rankings, debuting at No. 14.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez, had previously held five world titles across four weight divisions.

His recent defeat and subsequent arrest mark a sharp fall for the former champion, who is now facing removal proceedings tied to serious allegations involving organized crime and immigration fraud.

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