Mexican officials have confirmed the issuance of an arrest warrant for renowned boxer Julio César Chávez Jr., following his detention by U.S. immigration agents in California. The announcement follows a high-profile boxing match he recently lost to Jake Paul.
The Department of Homeland Security stated on Thursday that Chávez was held in Studio City, California, highlighting a warrant issued in March 2023 related to organized crime and arms trafficking charges in Mexico. According to U.S. officials, he is believed to be living in the country illegally, as his tourist visa had expired in 2024.
The Mexican Attorney General's Office reported that U.S. authorities communicated Chávez's detention to them, beginning the extradition process to Mexico. A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Office did not disclose further details regarding the status of his lawyers.
Chávez, 39, a former World Boxing Council middleweight champion and son of boxing legend Julio César Chávez Sr., has recently found himself in a challenging legal situation. The U.S. authorities indicated that his marital ties to a U.S. citizen could complicate his standing, noting concerns over potential connections to the infamous Sinaloa Drug Cartel. His spouse was reportedly involved with a figure related to the cartel’s notorious leader, Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
As the controversy unfolds, Chávez Jr.'s lawyers have yet to issue a public response, but the implications of these developments could be far-reaching for the boxer, who has been a significant figure in the sports community and beyond.
