The highly anticipated boxing clash between internet personality turned professional boxer Jake Paul and former world champion Julio Cesar chavez Jr. is set to electrify fight fans. Taking place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, this cruiserweight bout is more than just a main event. It’s a pivotal moment for both fighters, surrounded by a stacked undercard featuring legitimate world title action and significant matchups. Whether you’re tuning in via DAZN Pay-Per-View or considering attending live, here’s everything you need to know ahead of fight night.
The Main Event: Paul Steps Up Against a Legend’s Son
Jake Paul continues his ambitious journey in professional boxing by facing his second consecutive former boxing world champion. His opponent, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., brings a storied name and a vast professional record. This 10-round bout at cruiserweight represents a significant challenge for Paul and a potential last hurrah for Chavez Jr.
Jake Paul’s Journey: From YouTuber to Cruiserweight Challenger
With a professional record of 11 wins and 1 loss, including 7 knockouts, Jake Paul has quickly built a notable presence in boxing. He is coming off a unanimous decision victory over 58-year-old Mike Tyson in November 2024. This win marked his fifth consecutive victory since his split decision loss to professional boxer Tommy Fury in 2023. Before facing Chavez Jr. and Tyson, Paul primarily built his record against former MMA stars like Nate Diaz, Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, and Mike Perry, alongside former basketball player Nate Robinson and fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib. His only previous fights against relatively active professional boxers before this matchup were against less-known fighters Andre August and Ryan Bourland. Paul has openly stated his ambition to challenge for a cruiserweight world title in 2026. His team is reportedly already in discussions for potential bouts against current champions like Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez or Badou Jack. Facing a former world champion in Chavez Jr. at cruiserweight is viewed by many as a strategic move designed to earn him credible rankings and fast-track his title aspirations, despite criticisms about his opponent selection history.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.: A Storied Past Meets the Present Challenge
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. holds a professional record of 54 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, with 34 knockouts. As the son of legendary Mexican icon Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., Chavez Jr. carved out his own legacy, including a reign as the WBC middleweight world champion. He captured the title in 2011 and defended it three times before losing to Sergio Martinez in 2012. His extensive 22-year career includes bouts against elite fighters such as Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, against whom he went the distance in 2017, and Daniel Jacobs. At 39 years old, Chavez Jr. is considered by many to be well past his prime. His recent activity against traditional boxers has been limited; his last bout against a boxer was a decision win over David Zegarra in December 2021. His most recent fights saw him earn a unanimous decision over UFC veteran Uriah Hall in July 2024 and suffer a split decision loss to 46-year-old former UFC champion Anderson Silva in 2021. Competing at cruiserweight for this fight represents a significant jump in weight class for Chavez Jr., who spent most of his career at middleweight and super-middleweight. A defeat on Saturday could potentially signal the definitive end of his long career. Chavez Jr. will be looking to leverage his veteran experience and the power of his name to spoil Paul’s plans and re-enter relevant boxing conversations.
Fight Details You Need to Know
The event promises a full night of boxing action, leading up to the highly anticipated main event. Fans worldwide can tune in to catch the bouts.
Prelims are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET (12 p.m. PT). The main card officially kicks off at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). Ring walks for the main event between Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. are expected around 11 p.m. ET (8 p.m. PT), though this time is subject to change depending on the length of earlier fights.
The event is held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. For those unable to attend, the entire main card is available live on DAZN Pay-Per-View. In the U.S., the PPV price is listed at $59.99. UK viewers can purchase the event for £24.99, with options to bundle it with other upcoming fights for a higher price.
The official weigh-ins took place Friday, June 27, confirming both main event fighters successfully made weight. Jake Paul tipped the scales at 199.4 lbs, while Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. weighed in at 198.4 lbs, both within the cruiserweight limit.
Here are the weigh-in results for key fights on the card:
Cruiserweight (Headliner): Jake Paul (199.4 lbs) vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (198.4 lbs)
WBO/WBA Cruiserweight Title: Gilberto Ramirez (199.8 lbs) vs. Yuniel Dorticos (198.6 lbs)
Lightweight: Floyd Schofield (134.8 lbs) vs. Tevin Farmer (135 lbs)
Welterweight: Raul Curiel (146.4 lbs) vs. Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez (145.2 lbs)
Welterweight: Avious Griffin (146.8 lbs) vs. Julian Rodriguez (146.6 lbs)
Lightweight: Holly Holm (136.6 lbs) vs. Yolanda Vega (136.8 lbs)
Farmer initially weighed 135.4 lbs but made weight on his second attempt.
Fought at a 137 lbs catchweight.*
Beyond the Headliner: A Stacked Undercard
While the main event draws significant attention, the June 28th card features several compelling matchups, including a legitimate world title fight and appearances by seasoned professionals and rising prospects.
World Title Showdown: Ramirez vs. Dorticos
Crucially, the co-feature bout sees Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defending his unified WBO and WBA cruiserweight world titles. Ramirez, boasting an impressive 47-1 record with 30 knockouts, unified the belts in November in Riyadh. He faces mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KOs), a formidable former two-time cruiserweight world champion. This fight is particularly noteworthy as Ramirez has been mentioned as a potential future opponent for Jake Paul should Paul pursue a cruiserweight title shot, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this championship clash.
Other Key Main Card Bouts
The main card also includes several other competitive professional boxing matches. In the welterweight division, Raul Curiel (15-0-1, 13 KOs) takes on Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez (16-0-1, 9 KOs) in a WBA eliminator bout scheduled for 10 rounds. Another 10-round welterweight fight features Avious Griffin (17-0, 16 KOs) against Julian Rodriguez (23-1, 14 KOs). At lightweight, Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs), who is undefeated but returning from a recent hospitalization, faces former IBF super-lightweight champion Tevin Farmer (33-8-1, 8 KOs) over 10 rounds.
Preliminary Action Highlights
The preliminary card, airing earlier on DAZN, also boasts a diverse lineup. Notably, former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm, at age 43, makes her return to professional boxing after 12 years. She faces Yolanda Vega (10-0, 1 KO) in a 10-round lightweight contest. Other prelim fights include rising prospects and established veterans across various weight classes, such as Joel Iriarte vs. Kevin Johnson at welterweight, Alexander Gueche vs. Vincent Avina at super bantamweight, Joshua Edwards vs. Dominic Hardy at heavyweight, Victor Morales vs. Rene Alvarado at super featherweight, and John “Scrappy” Ramirez vs. Josue Morales at bantamweight.
Expert Analysis and Predictions
Oddsmakers heavily favor Jake Paul in this matchup. As of fight week, Paul is listed with significant odds, typically around 1/7, while Chavez Jr. is a considerable underdog at approximately 4/1. This disparity reflects widespread analysis of the fight.
Paul is favored primarily due to Chavez Jr.’s current state. The 39-year-old veteran is perceived as being far removed from his prime, which ended over a decade ago. His recent fight history against boxers is sparse, and even against MMA fighters transitioning to boxing (Anderson Silva, Uriah Hall), his performances have shown decline. Furthermore, fighting at cruiserweight is well above the weight classes where Chavez Jr. achieved his greatest success (middleweight and super-middleweight). While Paul is still relatively new to professional boxing, he is younger, more active recently, and fighting at a weight he is adapting to. The critical perspective is that Paul’s team has strategically selected an opponent with a big name but whose capabilities are significantly diminished.
For Paul, an impressive win, particularly a stoppage, could silence some critics and significantly bolster his claim for a world title shot sooner rather than later. Both the WBC and WBA have indicated a win here could earn him a ranking. For Chavez Jr., a victory would be a monumental upset and a stunning late-career resurgence, proving he can still compete against notable names, even if those names come from a different background. A loss, however, would likely confirm his status as a fighter well past his competitive peak, potentially leading to retirement.
Given Chavez Jr.’s age, inactivity against top boxers, and fighting above his historical weight, coupled with Paul’s consistent activity and power at this weight class, the prediction leans towards a Jake Paul victory. While Chavez Jr.’s experience and toughness could allow him to go the distance, Paul’s youth, power, and recent form suggest he is the more likely winner. A decision win for Paul seems probable if Chavez Jr. can utilize his veteran savvy to survive, but a late-round stoppage isn’t out of the question if Paul can wear him down.
Tickets and Venue Information
For fans hoping to attend the fight live at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, tickets are still available. While primary market availability might be limited, tickets are readily available on secondary markets. As of the day before the fight, the lowest advertised ticket prices were around $39-$44 on various resale platforms like Viagogo, StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek. These relatively low prices for a Paul headliner suggest that while interest is present, it may not match the fever pitch of some of his previous events, perhaps reflecting the criticism surrounding the matchup’s competitiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Paul vs. Chavez Jr. fight start and how can I watch it?
The boxing event featuring Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. takes place on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Prelims begin at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT, with the main card starting at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. Ring walks for the main event are expected around 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT. The main card, including the Paul vs. Chavez Jr. fight, is available exclusively on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
Are tickets still available for the Paul vs. Chavez Jr. fight in Anaheim, and where can I buy them?
Yes, tickets for the Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on June 28th are still available, primarily on secondary ticket markets. You can find tickets listed on platforms like Viagogo, StubHub, Vivid Seats, and SeatGeek. As of late June, prices were starting in the $39-$44 range on these resale sites.
What is the significance of the Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. fight for both fighters?
For Jake Paul, this fight against former champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is crucial for gaining legitimacy and rankings in professional boxing, potentially fast-tracking a cruiserweight title shot. A win could earn him WBC and WBA rankings. For Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., at 39 and past his prime, this fight represents a chance for a major upset and a late-career highlight against a popular opponent. A loss could likely mark the end of his professional boxing career.
Conclusion: What’s Next After Fight Night?
The Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. bout is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about fights of the year, blending the worlds of influencer boxing and traditional pugilism. While criticisms surrounding the competitive nature of the main event persist, the card itself offers significant professional boxing action, highlighted by a cruiserweight world title defense. As fight night approaches, all eyes will be on the Honda Center to see if Jake Paul can continue his ascent and earn the rankings he desires or if Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. can turn back the clock for one memorable performance. Regardless of the outcome, the event promises discussion and debate about the future of both fighters and the landscape of boxing.
