Influencer turned boxer Jake Paul stepped back in the ring on Saturday against the most accomplished opponent he’s faced thus far, former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
“The Problem Child” has successfully transformed from a social media influencer to one of the biggest draws in boxing. Building his boxing career largely by beating former UFC fighters, Paul is no longer a gimmick.
Paul last fought in November, defeating Mike Tyson via unanimous decision. H entered the bout on Saturday riding a five-fight winning streak.
Chavez Jr. was coming off back-to-back wins. He returned to the ring last July for the first time since December 2021, defeating former UFC fighter Uriah Hall via unanimous decision.
The opening round was slow paced with Paul setting the pace. The biggest moment in the round came when Paul connected with a clean right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Paul.
Paul pumped his jab in the second frame and kept Chavez Jr. on the outside. Chavez Jr. didn’t offer up much offense. Paul kept his hands low and circled behind his jab. He began investing in targeting the body of Chavez Jr. Paul pressed forward with a combination late in the round. MMAWeekly scored the frame 10-9 for Paul.
Paul continued to utilize his jab in the third. Chavez Jr. kept his guard high but had low output. Paul pressured Chavez Jr. He peppered him with jabs. Chavez Jr. missed with a looping left hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Paul.
Paul was more aggressive in the fourth. He pressured Chavez Jr. and looked to land power shots. He landed to the body and Chavez Jr. fired back with a right hand. Chavez Jr. began moving forward. Paul used his jab to keep Chavez Jr. on the outside. Chavez Jr. connected with a stiff jab. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Paul but it was Chavez Jr’s best round thus far.
Paul connected with straight left hands in the fifth. Chavez Jr. responded with a combination and Paul clinched. It was a close round and Chavez Jr. began to come alive.
Paul connected with an upper cut early in the sixth. Chavez Jr. began landing shots forcing Paul to fight off his back foot. Paul responded with a combination winning the round 10-9.
Paul used his jab to control the distance and was in complete control of the fight through the first seven rounds. In the eighth, Chavez Jr. landed but was outworked by Paul. The only path to victory for Chavez Jr. was by knockout.
Chavez Jr. moved forward in the ninth. He connected with a right hand. Paul landed his jab. Chavez Jr. stepped in with a left. He connected with a combination and Paul tied him up. Chavez Jr. went to the body. Paul appeared to have slowed down some. Chavez Jr. connected with a clean right hand followed by an upper cut. A combination landed for Chavez Jr. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Chavez Jr.
Chavez Jr.’s corner urged him to look for a finish. He pressed forward in the final frame. He landed a right hand. He backed Paul up. Paul continued to throw his jab. Chavez Jr. landed a combination and Paul answered with a left hand. Chavez Jr. connected with a left. Two right hands round a home. Paul held on. Chavez Jr. landed a right hand. Paul fired back. Chavez Jr. connected with a left hook at the bell. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Paul.
The judges scored the fight for Paul via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 99-91, 97-93, and 98-92.
