Julio Cesar Chavez Jr deported â Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has officially been deported from the United States to Mexico. The 39-year-old boxer, once seen as the heir to his father’s legacy, now finds himself at the center of a serious legal storm involving alleged ties to the Sinaloa cartel.
Arrest and Immigration Trouble
The problems for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr began earlier this year. In July 2025, he was arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. He had been living in the United States without proper documentation after his green card application was denied.
Officials described Chavez Jr. as a “clear threat to public safety” due to alleged connections with organized crime. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that he was considered affiliated with the Sinaloa cartel, a powerful criminal organization that appears on the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations.
Deported to Mexico, Now in Custody
On August 19, 2025, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr was deported to Mexico and turned over to authorities at the Sonora border crossing. He was immediately placed into detention in Hermosillo, the capital of the northern state of Sonora. According to Mexican sources, Chavez Jr. is now under investigation for potential links to narcotrafficking networks.
A Declining Boxing Career
Chavez Jr’s deportation comes after years of decline in his boxing career. Once the WBC middleweight champion (2011-2012), he was known for his speed and power. His most recent fight came in June 2025, when he was defeated by YouTube star Jake Paul in a widely publicized bout in Anaheim, California.
That loss further tarnished his reputation and led fans and critics alike to question whether he still belonged in the ring. The defeat against Jake Paul was particularly humiliating given the Mexican fighterâs once-promising potential.
A Legacy Overshadowed
His father, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., is one of Mexicoâs most celebrated athletes. With world titles in three weight divisions and over 100 wins in his career, the elder Chavez is a national icon. In contrast, Julio Cesar Chavez Jrâs deportation marks another fall from grace, raising concerns over what went wrong in the younger fighter’s life.
What Comes Next?
For now, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr remains in detention in Mexico. He faces possible criminal charges if investigators confirm his involvement with the Sinaloa cartel. Whether he will return to boxing is uncertain. Whatâs clear is that his future is now tied more to courts than rings.
