Jake Paul returned to the boxing ring on Saturday night and defeated Julio César Chávez Jr. by unanimous decision after 10 rounds, earning his 12th career win.
The match was held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, where the crowd largely cheered for 39-year-old Chávez Jr., but the energy in the arena shifted as Paul, 28, dominated the early rounds. Chávez Jr. struggled to land punches and often complained to the referee instead of fighting, prompting boos from fans.
Paul controlled most of the fight, landing clean shots while Chávez Jr. appeared slow and passive. By the sixth round, Chávez Jr. finally picked up the pace and started landing punches, putting pressure on Paul. The last two rounds saw Chávez Jr. fight with more aggression, forcing Paul to defend and clinch to avoid taking too many hits.
Despite the late push from Chávez Jr., Paul’s performance in the first eight rounds gave him the edge. The judges scored the fight 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92, all in Paul’s favor.
After the decision was announced, Paul addressed the crowd and critics directly, saying, “Shut the f*** up,” in response to boos. He also mentioned his support for former opponent Ben Askren, who is currently battling severe pneumonia. Paul said he and his brother Logan will donate to Askren’s medical fundraiser.
This victory comes after Paul’s win over Mike Tyson in November 2024, a match that drew over 65 million viewers on Netflix. Paul’s record now stands at 12 wins and 1 loss, with seven of those wins by knockout.
Chávez Jr., who once held the WBC middleweight title, now holds a record of 54 wins, six losses, and one draw. His father, boxing legend Julio César Chávez Sr., had earlier said, “Jake Paul is young and strong, but he’s never faced a fighter like my son. This time is different.”
Jake Paul hinted at future opponents after the fight, mentioning names like Anthony Joshua, Gervonta “Tank” Davis, and Tommy Fury, saying many fighters now want to face him.
