Boxing Star Julio César Chávez Jr. Faces Deportation After Arrest on Visa, Organized Crime Charges
LOS ANGELES — Former middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested this week for overstaying his U.S. visa and falsifying a green card application, federal officials announced Thursday. The 39-year-old boxer—son of Mexican legend Julio César Chávez—now faces deportation to Mexico, where an outstanding warrant accuses him of ties to organized crime and arms trafficking.
High-Profile Arrest Follows Jake Paul Fight
The arrest came just days after Chávez’s lopsided loss to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in Anaheim on June 29. Homeland Security officials revealed they had approved Chávez’s arrest a day before the fight but waited until Wednesday to take him into custody.
Federal agents swarmed Chávez as he rode a scooter outside his Studio City home near Hollywood, his attorney Michael Goldstein told reporters. Goldstein called the charges “outrageous” and accused authorities of targeting his client for headlines.
Legal Troubles Mount on Both Sides of Border
The arrest adds to Chávez’s long history of legal issues:
- January 2024: Arrested in L.A. for possessing two unregistered AR-style rifles; released on $50,000 bond pending trial.
- 2012: Served 13 days in jail for DUI.
- Ongoing drug battles: Has publicly struggled with addiction for years.
Now, U.S. officials allege he:
- Overstayed a tourist visa that expired in February 2024.
- Submitted fraudulent documents in an April 2024 marriage-based green card application. His wife, Frida Muñoz, is the grandmother of a child fathered by imprisoned Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán.
Cartel Links Alleged
Homeland Security claims Chávez has Sinaloa Cartel connections, though no specific evidence was provided. Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office confirmed an active arrest warrant for “Julio C” since March 2023 related to organized crime and weapons trafficking.
Despite the warrant, Chávez had traveled freely between the U.S. and Mexico for months. A federal agent (speaking anonymously) told the AP that Mexican authorities never acted on the warrant during his visits.
Public Reaction in Mexico Mixed
News of the arrest sparked debate in Mexico:
- “This is political,” argued Mexico City vendor Martín Sandoval Peñaloza, suggesting the U.S. targeted Chávez for “media attention.”
- Others, like storekeeper Oscar Tienda, saw it as inevitable: “He’s had a lifetime of drug problems.”
A Fallen Champion’s Last Stand?
Once a rising star who won the WBC middleweight title in 2011, Chávez Jr.’s career has been marred by drug use, legal issues, and inconsistency. His fight against Paul—where he appeared in his best shape in years—was seen as a potential comeback bid.
Before the match, Chávez told the L.A. Times he feared deportation, criticizing U.S. immigration crackdowns: “You’re giving the community an example of violence.”
What’s Next?
- Chávez remains in federal custody pending Monday’s court hearing on the gun charges.
- Mexico has initiated extradition proceedings for the organized crime case.
- If deported, he could face years in a Mexican prison.
Once celebrated as boxing royalty, Chávez Jr. now fights his biggest battle yet—in courtrooms instead of the ring.