On June 28, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. faced Jake Paul in Anaheim, California. Although the fight promised to be a triumphant return, it ended in a unanimous decision loss. But the worst part was not losing in the ring: days later, Chavez Jr. was detained by ICE agents for lying on his residency application and overstaying his visa.
On August 18, he was deported to Mexico and transferred to the Federal Center for Social Rehabilitation in Hermosillo, Sonora. There he faces serious charges: alleged links to the Sinaloa Cartel, arms trafficking and organized crime, in an investigation dating back to 2019.
Mauricio Sulaiman demands clarity in the process
Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), has come out in defense of the Chavez family. In recent statements, he expressed his outrage at the wave of speculation and malicious comments on social networks
There is a lot of misinformation, a lot of ignorance. Until we really know what it is all about, we cannot give a formal opinion
Sulaiman also revealed that he has been in constant contact with Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, who is deeply affected by the situation. “He is devastated as a father. There is a lot of ambiguity in the charges and he deserves a fair investigation,” he added.
Chavez Jr. and his problems with the law
This is not the first time Chavez Jr. has run into trouble with the law. In 2012, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Los Angeles. In 2024, he was arrested for possession of illegal weapons, although he managed to get out on bail and was sent to rehab.
His immigration status also became complicated after he married Frida Munoz, a US citizen who had a relationship with Edgar Guzman, son of the former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel. This link has been used by the authorities to reinforce the accusations against the boxer.
While the legal process is ongoing, the Chavez family and boxing figures such as Sulaiman are calling for due process to be respected. The story of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. seems far from over, and many are hoping that the truth will come to light.
Read the full article here
