It’s business as usual for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at least as far as his boxing career is concerned. Chavez is scheduled to return to the ring on January 24 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Just months after being arrested by U.S. federal agents and subsequently deported. The 39-year-old former middleweight titleholder is currently awaiting trial in Mexico over alleged links to organized crime. At a press conference on Monday. It was announced that Chavez Jr. (54-7-1, 34 KOs) will face Angel Julián Sacco (10-1-1, 4 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Chavez was joined on stage by his father, Hall of Famer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr., and the governor of San Luis Potosí, Ricardo Gallardo Cardona, among other officials and event organizers.
A Fading Career in the Ring
Once regarded as a major attraction and world champion at middleweight, Chavez Jr.’s career has long been in decline. He is just 8-7 since 2012, with no notable victories during that stretch.
His most recent outing, a unanimous decision defeat to Jake Paul on June 28, underlined how far his skills and conditioning have slipped. Chavez was barely competitive in the bout, further cementing his status as a faded name rather than a genuine contender.
Sacco, meanwhile, has quietly built momentum. After starting his career with a draw and a loss in 2019, he’s put together a 10-fight winning streak, positioning this fight as a significant opportunity to claim a recognizable scalp.
Legal Troubles and Alleged Cartel Ties
Days after the loss to Paul, Chavez was arrested in Los Angeles by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying his visa and allegedly lying on a green card application.
The Department of Homeland Security later revealed that Chavez is the subject of an active arrest warrant in Mexico for alleged “involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives,” and stated that he is believed to be affiliated with the Sinaloa Cartel.
In August, Chavez was deported, then released from a Mexican prison pending trial. Authorities confirmed he will have to stand trial over the alleged cartel ties and arms trafficking accusations.
Despite the serious legal cloud hanging over him. Chavez is now set to resume his boxing career in front of a home-country crowd. Another controversial chapter in an already turbulent life inside and outside the ring.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
