Jake Paul Claims Unanimous Decision Victory Over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Summary
In his latest high-profile foray into the boxing ring, social media sensation-turned-pugilistJake Paulsecured a unanimous decision victory over former WBC middleweight championJulio Cesar Chavez Jr.The 10-round cruiserweight bout, held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, saw Paul extend his winning streak to 12-1 and further solidify his often debated, position in the sport.
The judges' scorecards read 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92 in favor of the 28-year-old Paul. While the scores indicate a clear dominance, the fight itself saw Chavez Jr. often tentative in the early rounds, struggling to unleash offense. Despite a late rally in the ninth and tenth rounds where Chavez Jr. landed some significant shots, it wasn't enough to sway the outcome against Paul's consistent jab and ring control.
This victory marks Paul's triumphant return to the ring seven months after his blockbuster fight againstMike Tyson. For the 39-year-old Chavez Jr., a former world champion who last held a major title in 2012, the loss continues a difficult period in his career, having fought only once in the last three and a half years.
Following the win, Paul wasted no time in challenging a string of current and former WBC champions, including Zurdo Ramirez, Badou Jack, Anthony Joshua, Gervonta Davis, and Tommy Fury, declaring, 'I want tougher fighters, I want to be world champion.' While Chavez Jr. acknowledged Paul as a 'good fighter,' he expressed doubts about his readiness for true champions.
Paul, who has reportedly earned at least $60 million USD since starting his boxing career, continues to be one of the sport's top attractions, despite lacking a traditional fighting pedigree. This victory is expected to earn him a ranking with the WBC, further legitimizing his quest for a world title shot in 2026 and keeping the 'Problem Child' firmly in the boxing spotlight.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
