Julio César Chávez Jr. Arrested and Facing Deportation
Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested by federal immigration agents in California, now facing deportation to Mexico. The detention occurred on Tuesday, July 2nd, following accusations of illegal stay in the country and false statements in his application for permanent residency.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the former champion will be deported to Mexico, where he faces charges related to organized crime.
Chávez Jr., 39, was arrested in Studio City while riding a scooter near his residence. His lawyer, Michael Goldstein, called the arrest “outrageous.”
According to authorities, Chávez Jr. entered the United States in August 2023 with a tourist visa that expired in February 2024. In addition, he is accused of making false statements in his “green card” application, a process carried out after his marriage to Frida Muñoz.
The detention occurred days after his fight against Jake Paul in Anaheim, where he lost by unanimous decision. Although immigration services had recommended his arrest since June, the action was taken after the fight.
In Mexico, Chávez Jr. is wanted by the Attorney General’s Office, which confirmed an arrest warrant in effect since March 2023. The charges include alleged links to the Sinaloa Cartel, as well as trafficking in weapons, ammunition, and explosives.
During his career, Chávez Jr. has been a controversial figure. Although he won the WBC middleweight world title in 2011, his addiction problems and suspensions have kept him in the public eye.
In 2024, he was arrested for illegal possession of weapons and was on probation.
Mexican authorities have initiated the extradition process so that Chavez Jr. can face the charges in his home country.
