Ahead of their June 28 showdown at the Honda Center, Julio César Chávez Jr. and Jake Paul are drawing intense attention, but not necessarily for the reasons the veteran boxer might have hoped.
A newly surfaced training video of Chávez Jr. has sparked widespread skepticism online, with fans and pundits questioning whether the former WBC middleweight champion can pose any real threat to Paul.
Oscar De La Hoya stirred the pot with a provocative thought: “Chavez Jr went the distance with Canelo, right? In Canelo‘s prime? And so imagine if Jake Paul knocks out Chavez Jr, then what?” With an 11-year age gap and a reach advantage favoring Paul, some are already bracing for an upset-if it can still be called that.
Chávez Jr., now 38, hasn’t enjoyed a consistent run in the ring for years. He beat Uriah Hall in 2023 but that win came after a lengthy three-year hiatus and followed public battles with addiction and a stay in rehab after a 2023 felony arrest. These off-ring challenges, combined with his recent training footage, have fueled doubts about his readiness.
Social media reaction to Chávez Jr.’s training video intensifies pre-fight tension
When Boxing Kingdom posted a clip of Chávez Jr. working the heavy bag, reactions were swift and unforgiving. While his punches looked powerful, fans criticized the lack of intensity and speed. “This dude has never had a good fight,” one fan posted. Another scoffed, “Not good, looks like me at the gym. He should look like a professional boxer.”
The wave of criticism comes despite Chávez Jr.’s pedigree and accomplishments. Even his legendary father, Julio César Chávez Sr., has adopted a cautious tone: “He hits hard and he can take a punch. [But] What he’s lacked is conditioning and volume.” Still, the elder Chávez added a recent glimmer of hope, saying, “I went to go watch Jr. train two times recently and he’s impressed me.”
Yet others aren’t convinced. Former world champion Roy Jones Jr. reflected on the turning point in Chávez Jr.’s career: “I think that fight [against Sergio Martinez] might have taken a lot out of him… I don’t think he ever was the same.” Despite acknowledging his past talent, Jones was blunt: “I think Jake should probably take him out, mainly because Jake beat Anderson Silva. And Silva beat Chavez.”
With Jake Paul‘s youth, size, and activity all trending in his favor, fans are voicing predictions with increasing confidence. One user claimed, “He’s getting KO’d,” while another dismissed the bout altogether as a “bought and paid for win.” The most biting comment of all suggested a role reversal: “Give his dad some roids and booze and let him fight Paul instead. He would have a better chance.”
Even boxing’s PED controversies made their way into the online banter. “He needs fast Eddie Renoso at this point,” one fan joked, referencing the positive test of Jaime Munguia-a fighter from Reynoso‘s camp-earlier this year.
As hype builds and criticism mounts, Chávez Jr. faces a stark reality. If he wants to salvage his legacy and prove he’s more than a stepping stone for Paul‘s ambitions, he’ll need to show more than just flashes of his former self.
Otherwise, June 28 may mark not just another loss, but a definitive close to a once-promising career.
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