Jake Paul captures unanimous decision victory over Julio Cesar Chavez

Jake Paul beat another old, past-his-prime boxer on Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., but it wasn’t total domination.

The 28-year-old Paul scored a unanimous decision victory in 10 rounds over former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr., who started the bout in lifeless fashion before rallying in the later rounds.

Chavez’s slow start came despite the fact the majority of fans were firmly in his corner.

Before the fight, this appeared to be the biggest risk for Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) in his unconventional boxing career because the 39-year-old Chávez (54-7-2) was his most accomplished foe yet.

But that assessment proved to be wrong early on as Chávez fought tentatively and without force despite having the support of his famous father who was shouting furiously at ringside.

Meanwhile, Paul patiently controlled the ring and landed enough shots to win, especially in the early stages of the bout.

Paul’s brother, Logan, who also is a famous YouTuber and WWE wrestler, attended the bout and cheered on his brother inside the ring after his win.

Chávez, who barely threw a punch in the first four rounds, had a strong sixth round and landed some exciting shots in the ninth, finally displaying some of the skills he had exhibited in his long boxing career.

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But it wasn’t enough to beat the famous YouTuber-turned-fighter, who jumped on the ropes in celebration after absorbing several flurries from Chávez in the 10th — and final — round.

“All the boos are awards,” said Paul, who quit a Piers Morgan interview in a rage earlier this week. “It was flawless. I think I only got hit about 10 times.”

The judges scored it 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 for Paul. The Associated Press also favored Paul 97-93.

Predicted the win and got the WIN June 29, 2025

“I thought I lost the first five rounds, so I tried to win the last rounds,” said Chávez, who has fought just once since 2021. “He’s strong, a good boxer (for) the first three, four rounds. After that, I felt he was tired. I don’t think he’s ready for the champions, but he’s a good fighter.”

Despite winning the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defending it three times, Chávez is best known for failing to maximize his potential and fully add to his father’s impressive legacy.

Nevertheless, Chávez is still the most credible boxer by far to share the ring with Paul, who is now 5 ¹/₂ years and 13 fights into his lucrative fight career.

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Paul — who has mostly fought mixed martial arts artists and fellow online celebrities— last fought in November in a win over a way-past-his-prime Mike Tyson, who will turn 59 on June 30.

His only loss came in February 2023 when he lost to Tommy Fury.

This latest win for Paul means he has a chance to go from a popular boxing sideshow to landing a more mainstream bout.

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It would mean he could be invited to fight under the backing of one of boxing’s sanctioning bodies, which would allow him to book a fight against an elite fighter whenever he chooses.

“We’ll see,” Paul said when asked to name his next foe. “There’s a long line, so they’ve got to wait in line. Take a ticket.”

The loquacious Paul then said he would have no problem beating Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez, who retained his two cruiserweight title belts with a close unanimous decision over Cuba’s Yuniel Dorticos in the final undercard bout.

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In earlier undercard action, former UFC star Holly Holm, 43, returned from a 12-year absence from the boxing ring to dominate previously unbeaten Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa.

New Jersey welterweight Julian Rodriguez earned a thrilling victory in the waning moments of the 10th and final round, staggering Avious Griffin with a sneaky left hand and eventually knocking the previously unbeaten Griffin sideways into the ropes for a stoppage with 5 seconds left.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report