The highly anticipated boxing event featuring internet sensation turned professional boxer Jake Paul against former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. captivated fans on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The cruiserweight clash headlined a significant fight card that also included a unified cruiserweight title defense and the return of a combat sports icon.
Jake Paul (11-1, 7 KOs), at 28 years old, continued his boxing journey by facing his second consecutive former world champion. Paul entered the bout on a five-fight winning streak, a run that began after his sole professional loss to Tommy Fury in 2023. His most recent victory was a one-sided unanimous decision over legendary former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in November 2024. Paul has made clear his ambition to challenge for a cruiserweight world title in 2026, with his team reportedly in discussions to face either Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez or Badou Jack for their respective belts, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (54-6-1, 34 KOs), 39, is the son of Mexican boxing legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. He held the WBC middleweight title from 2011 to 2012, successfully defending it three times before losing to Sergio Martinez. Chavez Jr.’s extensive 22-year career includes high-profile fights against Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Daniel Jacobs. Despite a recent unanimous decision victory over former UFC fighter Uriah Hall in July 2024 after a nearly three-year absence, many viewed this fight as a critical juncture for the veteran, with some suggesting defeat could signal the end of his career. Chavez Jr. himself expressed skepticism about Paul’s boxing skills, stating at the final press conference, “No, I don’t think he’s good. I think he tries, he trains hard, but he’s not a good fighter. He’s definitely not a good boxer,” according to The Tennessean.
Paul was a significant favorite heading into the bout, with odds ranging from -575 to -700, while Chavez Jr. was the underdog at +375 to +400, as per USA Today Sports and The Oklahoman. Both fighters stand at 6-foot-1, with Paul holding a slight reach advantage (76 inches to Chavez Jr.’s 73 inches). They also share a common opponent in MMA legend Anderson Silva, whom Paul defeated by unanimous decision in 2022, while Chavez Jr. lost to Silva by split decision in 2021.
The co-main event featured a high-stakes unified cruiserweight championship bout between Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KOs) and mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs). Ramirez successfully defended his WBA and WBO cruiserweight titles, which he unified in November against Chris Billam-Smith in Riyadh.
The undercard delivered several notable performances. In a welterweight contest, Julian Rodriguez (23-1, 14 KOs) secured a dramatic tenth-round technical knockout victory over the previously undefeated Avious Griffin (17-0, 16 KOs), handing Griffin his first professional loss. Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs) made a strong statement in the lightweight division, delivering a stunning first-round TKO against veteran Tevin Farmer (33-8-1, 8 KOs) in just 80 seconds, solidifying Schofield’s status as a top prospect. Additionally, combat sports legend Holly Holm (33-2-3, 9 KOs) made a successful return to professional boxing after more than 12 years, dominating Yolanda Guadalupe Vega Ochoa (10-0, 1 KO) to win by unanimous decision (100-90, 100-90, 100-90) in their women’s lightweight bout.
The main card commenced at 8 p.m. ET on DAZN pay-per-view, with the main event ring walks for Paul vs. Chavez Jr. anticipated around 11 p.m. ET. Prelim bouts were available live on Uncrowned and YouTube starting at 3 p.m. ET. The pay-per-view price for the full card was set at $59.99 in the United States, with DAZN also offering bundles for future fight cards.
This event marked another significant chapter in Jake Paul’s boxing career, as he continues to challenge established names in the sport, while for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., it was a chance to prove his enduring relevance against a younger, highly popular opponent. The card as a whole provided a mix of high-stakes championship action and compelling matchups, further cementing boxing’s place in the contemporary sports landscape.
