Politics
NEW: Star Boxer Arrested By ICE For Deportation
A champion boxer from Mexico has been arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly violating the terms of his visa and affiliating with a notorious cartel, authorities announced.
The arrest of Julio César Chávez Jr., 39, came as a shock to the world of boxing where he held the World Boxing Council’s middleweight title from 2011 to 2012. Despite his age and mixed record since that time, the Mexican fighter is still a large draw and most recently collected a payday of $1.5 million to fight Jake Paul.
U.S. officials claim that Chávez Jr. enter the country illegally and will be deported back to Mexico, where he is expected to face charges related to organized crime.
The arrest comes just four days after Chávez Jr. lost his match against Paul in Anaheim, California.
ICE and U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents reportedly surrounded Chávez Jr. as he rode his electric scooter in front of his Studio City home, the boxer’s attorney Michael Goldstein said.
“The current allegations are outrageous and simply another headline to terrorize the community,” Goldstein said.
Goldstein said he does not know where Chávez is being held. The two were preparing to meet up for a court appearance in a separate case alleging a firearms violation where Chávez was also expected to provide an update on his participation in a substance abuse program.
He is accused of overstaying a traveler’s visa that expired in February 2024 after entering the country in August 2023.
Despite presenting an “egregious public safety threat,” an ICE spokesperson laid blame on the Biden administration for allowing Chávez back into the country on Jan. 4.
Officials stated that Chávez is wanted by Mexican authorities who say he is an agent of the Sinaloa cartel, where he has helped facilitate the trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives, the AP reports.
The Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office has not yet responded to a request for comment about the status of Chávez’s charges there.
The Trump administration said Chávez applied for a green card on Apr. 2, 2024 based on his marriage to Frida Muñoz, a U.S. citizen who was formerly the romantic partner of Édgar Guzmán López, the son of notorious Sinaloa kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
Chávez allegedly made multiple false statements on his application, leading to his arrest, authorities alleged.
Born Julio César Chávez Carrasco, the 39-year-old fighter is the son of former three-division world champion of boxing Julio César Cháve, a local legend in Mexico. He fought to an unblemished 46-0-0 record before losing his first match in 2012 at 26 years old.
Since then, Chávez has struggled in the ring, repeatedly disqualifying himself through failed drug tests, served suspensions, or missed weight before several high-profile bouts. Sports broadcasters have cast doubt over the years about his dedication to boxing.
Before losing to Paul, Chávez was on a redemption tour of sorts. He gave several interviews, claiming to be clean and showing off his leanest, fitting physique in years.
The victory was Paul’s 12th, a unanimous decision that earned him the No. 14 ranking by the World Boxing Association and puts him on the path to a cruiserweight title.
After news broke that his recent opponent was arrested and processed for deportation, Paul posted an American flag emoji on social media, prompting speculation about how he feels about the ICE raid.
