Authorities deported boxing champion Julio César Chávez Jr. to Mexico after U.S. officials arrested him on July 2 in Los Angeles, citing immigration violations and alleged ties to drug trafficking.
The son of boxing legend Julio César Chávez Sr. now faces criminal charges in Mexico, including alleged connections to the Sinaloa Cartel.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the deportation at a press conference on August 19. “I understand he was deported. I don’t know if it was yesterday or this morning, but we were informed that he was arriving in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.
Mexican officials stated that they transferred Chávez into prison custody in Sonora after his arrival.
Authorities allege the deportation stems from Chávez’s recent application for U.S. residency. He applied in April 2024, citing marriage to a U.S. citizen, Frida Muñoz. Investigators claim his spouse had connections to the Sinaloa Cartel, including ties to a member of the Guzmán family.
Chávez also faces an arrest warrant in Mexico for alleged arms trafficking and suspected cartel links. His legal history includes a 2012 conviction for drunk driving and an arrest in 2024 for possessing unregistered firearms, according to court records.
Chávez’s arrest came only days after he lost a high-profile fight to social media personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The loss drew heavy scrutiny and added to the negative attention surrounding the former champion.
Mexican prosecutors said they will move forward with legal proceedings on the arms trafficking allegations and cartel ties. They described the case as one of the highest-profile deportations involving suspected organized crime in recent years.
Chávez remains in custody in Sonora as Mexican prosecutors prepare formal charges. Observers expect the case to attract international attention given his family’s prominence in boxing.
Prosecutors said they will provide updates as the proceedings continue.