Julio César Chávez Jr., the Mexican boxing icon, has been deported to Mexico after being arrested in the U.S. for alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and drug trafficking. The 39-year-old boxer was apprehended by U.S. immigration authorities for overstaying his visa and fabricating information on his green card application. This arrest occurred less than a week after he suffered a significant loss to YouTuber and influencer Jake Paul in a high-profile fight in Anaheim, California. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly endorsed the deportation, emphasizing that it was a necessary step to address the alleged criminal activities of Chávez, who has long been a subject of scrutiny.
Chávez, whose father was a celebrated boxing legend of the 1980s and 1990s, has a complex history intertwined with organized crime. His father, former world champion Julio César Chávez Sr., was known for his association with drug traffickers and his claim of friendship with the late drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes. The younger Chávez, now 39, has faced similar allegations, with Mexican authorities claiming he has ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. These allegations led to a multi-year investigation, initiated in 2019 by Mexico’s attorney general, Alejandro Gertz Manero. The investigation culminated in Chávez’s arrest in the U.S., where he was detained on July 3, 2024, for violating immigration laws.
Chávez’s legal troubles have spanned decades. In 2012, he was convicted of drunken driving in Los Angeles and sentenced to 13 days in jail. Later that year, he faced additional charges related to the possession of firearms, including two AR-style ghost rifles, which he was later freed on $50,000 bond, pending court proceedings. These legal issues have not only impacted his personal life but also his boxing career. His reputation for drug addiction has led to multiple failed drug tests, suspensions, and weight-cutting controversies, all of which have drawn widespread criticism from the boxing community and fans.
Despite his legal setbacks, Chávez has managed to maintain a place in the sport’s history. He won the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defended it three times, sharing the ring with boxing greats like Canelo Álvarez and Sergio Martinez. However, his career has been marred by recurring issues, including his most recent legal troubles. The deportation to Mexico marks a new chapter in his life, as he is now expected to face criminal charges related to drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and cartel affiliations. The case has raised questions about the intersection of sports, law enforcement, and organized crime in the U.S. and Mexico.