Jake Paul is preparing to fight former WBC Middleweight Champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28 in Anaheim, Calif. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya suggests Paul could potentially accomplish what Canelo Alvarez couldn’t against the Mexican veteran.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer is coming off a controversial win over Mike Tyson. While initial fight talks with Canelo and Gervonta Davis didn’t materialize, Paul has still managed to find an opponent with a deep boxing lineage.
Oscar De La Hoya Claims Jake Paul Could Have Edge Over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Oscar De La Hoya, who is co-promoting the event, believes Jake Paul is about to silence more critics. Speaking to Fight Hub TV, he praised both the matchup and Paul’s promotional prowess.
“Jake Paul, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, it’s a real fight,” De La Hoya said. People keep saying Jake Paul is not a real fighter. Well, he’s fighting a real fighter now. It’s going to be a good test for both guys. Obviously, Jake is a masterclass promoter in what he does. He’s been doing some great things, Mike Tyson, 60 million people.”
De La Hoya also teased potential storylines if Paul manages to outdo Canelo’s performance against Chavez back in 2017.
“Look, Canelo fought Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. We promoted that fight many years ago. Didn’t knock him out, couldn’t hurt him, so imagine if Jake can hurt or even wobble Chavez Jr. It’s something that Canelo didn’t do, or couldn’t do. There are a lot of stories to come out from this. A lot of great stories for Jake Paul.”
🚨“Imagine if Jake Paul can hurt or even wobble Chavez Jr. It’s something Canelo didn’t do or couldn’t do! Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a REAL fight!”-Oscar De La Hoya
MORE HERE: https://t.co/gVdAfhDwAV pic.twitter.com/FSrjp6Cezw
— Fight Hub TV (@FightHubTV) April 19, 2025
However, fans were quick to push back online.
One user wrote, “It’s getting cringeworthy to watch him speak at this point smh.”
It’s getting cringe worthy to watch him speak at this point smh
— Tyran D. (@manwithclass_) April 19, 2025
Another added, “The fight with Canelo was eight years ago, and Chavez was 15 kg lighter than now. You cannot compare these two fights.”
The fight with canelo was 8 years ago and Chavez was 15 kg lighter than now.
You cannot compare these 2 fights.— phil (@Svaziphil_) April 20, 2025
A third responded bluntly: “There goes Oscar on drugs again.”
Others pointed to Chavez’s declining form. “Anderson Silva beat Chavez Jr… come the f**k on. What are we doing here?” one fan posted.
Another user brought the spotlight back to Paul’s résumé: “Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (who is now 39 years old) and Canelo boxed nearly eight years ago. This will be Jake Paul’s 13th professional bout and still the only person Jake boxed that was in their athletic prime, and in the same weight class was Tommy Fury, whom Jake lost to.”
While De La Hoya sees potential history in the making, much of the boxing community remains skeptical, especially when legacy names are used as measuring sticks.
Chavez Jr., whose last fight was a decision win over Uriah Hall, has been largely inactive since 2021 and brings a history of inconsistency into the cruiserweight matchup. Nonetheless, his résumé includes bouts with Canelo, Sergio Martinez, and Daniel Jacobs — experiences Paul lacks.