Julio Cesar Chavez Jr one year sober after winning fight with addiction and reveals promise to his kids to KO Jake Paul
The son of Mexico's most beloved boxer has struggled with drink and drug abuse in the past - with trips in and out of rehab.
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But, ahead of his Saturday fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, Chavez Jr has KO'd his mental demons.
He told SunSport: "Yes, it's an unbelievable feeling. Still good mentally and doing everything right, like training and staying sober.
'So that means for me everything, my lifestyle, I'm back and I like this life. I like the discipline. I like running, I like training. So yes, I feel great.'
Chavez Jr once checked his father - the great Julio Cesar Sr - into rehab amid a crippling cocaine addiction which his dad said saved his life.
But years later the roles reversed and Chavez Sr last year claimed he feared his son would DIE due to his substance abuse.
The former middleweight world champion hit rock bottom in January 2024 when he was arrested in Los Angeles on gun charges.
According to police, he unlawfully possessed two AR-style ghost rifles and was later freed from custody on a $50,000 bond.
But Chavez Jr was forced to enter the residential treatment program - since turning his life around for the sake of his wife and two kids.
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He said: 'I have had too many problems in the past with substances and drinking and things like that.
'So I have for a couple of years tried to stop but it's hard for me to stop alone. So I go to one of the places here after a problem that I had.
'And after that, I'm continuously sober for the first time. I have been for one year a month.
"I really don't remember my bad days and I enjoy these days.'
Chavez Jr won the WBC title in 2011 - making three defences before losing it to Argentine Sergio Martinez - sparking inconsistent form.
A lack of dedication has plagued the son of a legend throughout his career - but he claims to have committed more to this fight than any other.
Chavez Jr said: "I'm training super hard like the old days and yes I'm taking this fight very seriously because it's a good fight.
'Every single fight, the next one is the biggest and the more pressure. In the past, yeah, of course, I have a little bit of a break.
'I'm so excited and I'm happy to stay here.'
The 39-year-old shares daughter Julia and son Jr with wife Frida and he revealed his two kids know all too well about Paul and his celebrity circle.
He said: "My kids are very young, they know Jake Paul and Logan Paul and KSI and these guys. And yes, it's good for me.
"That's what motivates me for this fight because I wanna beat him and show how good a fighter I am for the new generation.'
Chavez Jr revealed he made a promise to his children to KO Paul - who is the naturally bigger man at cruiserweight.
He said: 'Yes. I want to knock him out. Remember, Jake is big.
"So that's the main thing is trying to pressure him and more to the body and later on, start to knock him out.'
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