Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Predictions: ‘Problem Child’ fights a corpse instead of a ghost

Jake Paul returns to the ring this Saturday, June 28 and this time he is fighting someone who pays full price to travel via public transport. Former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will aim to disappoint his father in front of a global audience on DAZN PPV as well as thousands inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. The undercard features some actual boxers, like unified cruiserweight king Gilberto Ramirez and world-ranked lightweight Floyd Schofield.

Here are my Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. predictions ahead of whatever the hell this ends up being.

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Odds

Paul is 1/6 to score the victory here. Chavez, despite greater experience and world title pedigree, is the underdog at 21/5. 16/1 is your price for a draw. For a deeper look at the betting lines for this one, click here.

 Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Fight Preview

I am going to assume that at least some of Paul’s fanbase can read. Therefore I’ll get the positives in early before they ditch this piece to watch four YouTube videos simultaneously while playing Fortnite. Jake Paul is the best marketing man in boxing.

Yes, ‘The Problem Child’ beat up a version of Mike Tyson who looked like a particularly rambunctious chihuahua could have knocked him over. It was a horror show and an egregious pillaging of boxing’s spirit. But guess what? You all watched it. Millions of you. 

Now Paul goes in with a former world champion in Chavez. A man who has fought Saul Canelo Alvarez, Sergio Martinez and Danny Jacobs. A boxer with wins over Andy Lee, John Duddy, Sebastian Zbik and Peter Manfredo on his ledger. The son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. no less. 

On paper, it looks good. But then again, to a cretin the name “Mike Tyson” sitting atop Paul’s 11-1 record probably looks good too.

Because, yes, Chavez did win the WBC middleweight championship during his career. 14 years ago. While weighing 37 pounds less than he did in his last fight and as much as 40 less than he’ll weigh on Saturday. 

At the age of 39, Chavez is also practically an infant by the standard of Paul’s favourite victims. Tyson was pushing 60. Anderson Silva was closing in on 50. Why, Chavez is practically a spring chicken! Let’s play a game. Find a fighter Jake has beaten who was younger than 36 at the time and had at least one pro boxing fight on their record. You can’t? Funny that.

In fairness, Chavez is younger than some current world champions, such as WBA middleweight king Erislandy Lara (42) and WBC cruiserweight boss Badou Jack (41). But his recent record exposes just how far the once-touted Mexican has fallen.

Causing his father more headaches than Bart Simpson gives Homer, Chavez has lost three of his last six fights. One was against Jacobs, which we’ll allow due to the quality of ‘The Miracle Man’. But the next loss came to 11-0 Mario Cazares, who David Morrell sparked in one round in his next fight. Then the third defeat came to UFC legend Anderson Silva, who was having his first professional boxing match in 16 years and third in total. It was this reverse that shattered Chavez’s reputation completely. 

Any remaining Paul fans still hanging on to see if I say anything nice will remember Silva as the 47-year-old that ‘El Gallo’ knocked down on the way to winning a decision back in 2022. ‘The Spider’ is 50 now. I’m surprised Paul hasn’t asked for a rematch.

Chavez has tried to pick up the pieces, outpointing fragile journeyman David Zegarra and another ex-UFC name in 40-year-old Uriah Hall. Those wins won’t get you a world title shot. But they will allow you to cash in your chips against a man who has claimed more old people than that Michael Parkinson advert where he used to give away a Parker pen.

Paul is a master of timing and Chavez has enough left for the influencer to sell to the masses. He is old rather than ancient. Washed-up rather than Titanic-sunk. Where Mike Tyson was a ghost, Chavez is just a corpse. No need to hire Peter Venkman for this one, just an experienced necromancer. 

Do not fear what Paul beating Chavez will do to boxing. This gloriously sullied old business is already beyond saving and all the more fascinating for it. But perhaps cast a cautionary glance at the undercard, where Gilberto Ramirez defends his WBO and WBA titles. The same ‘Zurdo’ who has openly stated his willingness to fight Jake Paul. What weight division is Ramirez again? Oh f**k.

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Full Card

Jake Paul vs Julio César Chávez Jr

Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez vs Yuniel Dorticos

Holly Holm vs Yolanda Vega

Floyd Schofield vs Tevin Farmer

Avious Griffin vs Julian Rodriguez

Raul “Cugar” Curiel vs Victor Ezequiel Rodriguez

Naomy Valle vs Ashley Felix

Jake Paul vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr Prediction

I think Paul will be cautious here and rightfully so. Chavez still has skills even if they are buried deep and dulled by time. What the Mexican lacks is fitness. The former world champion has been out of the ring for a year and had not fought for three years prior to that outing.

Paul had three bouts apiece in 2023 and 2024. ‘The Problem Child’ is ring-ready. I think he will outlast Chavez and land enough of his wild, uneducated shots without reply to notch an unsatisfying but lucrative decision. Paul on points is 10/11. 

Unfortunately, a post-fight market on Jake calling out Joe Louis, Rocky Balboa and Little Mac from Nintendo’s Super Punch Out!! is unavailable at press time.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.