Credited from: LATIMES
Jake Paul achieved a unanimous decision victory over Julio César Chávez Jr. at the Honda Center in Anaheim, dominating the match from start to finish. The judges scored the fight 99-91, 98-92, and 97-93 in favor of Paul, who displayed an impressive performance against a fighter with a rich legacy. Paul controlled the early rounds with precision, landing punches that left Chávez struggling to respond effectively, according to L.A. Times, BBC, and India Times.
Despite being a former champion, Chávez failed to find his rhythm early in the bout, reportedly landing no punches in the first round at all. His hesitant approach drew criticism not only from commentators but also left his father, the legendary Julio César Chávez Sr., visibly frustrated at ringside. As the fight progressed, Chávez only began to show signs of activity in the later rounds, yet his late rally was not sufficient to alter the outcome of the match, according to L.A. Times and L.A. Times.
Following the bout, Paul expressed his desire to challenge more formidable fighters in the boxing circuit, mentioning WBA champion Gilberto Ramirez and WBC champion Badou Jack as potential opponents. He stated, "I want tougher fighters and I want to be a world champion," and emphasized his commitment to transitioning from a social media influencer to a legitimate boxer, according to L.A. Times and India Times.
As for Chávez, this defeat raises significant questions about his future in professional boxing. Many critics have pointed to his inactivity and lack of focus during the fight, with Chávez acknowledging that his preparation was inadequate. He remarked, "I reacted too late," highlighting the challenges he faced throughout the match, according to BBC and L.A. Times.
While Paul earned a victory, the fight has reignited discussions about the legitimacy of his boxing career. Despite his win against a declining boxer, Paul remains under scrutiny from boxing purists regarding the caliber of opponents he has faced thus far. Nevertheless, his ambition to step up against elite fighters continues to define his narrative within the sport, as seen in his post-fight comments about targeting higher-ranked professionals, according to India Times and L.A. Times.