Jake Paul is stepping into the ring once again, but this time, the stakes feel different. On June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, the YouTuber-turned-boxer will face his most experienced opponent yet: former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The matchup comes on the heels of Paul’s controversial bout against Mike Tyson last November—a fight many questioned given Tyson’s age and time away from the sport. Still, Paul walked away with a unanimous decision after eight rounds and kept his momentum rolling in the boxing world.
Chavez Jr., on the other hand, is trying to rewrite the final chapters of his career. After holding the WBC belt from 2011 to 2012, his record has been marred by losses, missed weights, and off-ring issues. Now, as he prepares for a comeback, not everyone in boxing is convinced—especially former world champion Shawn Porter.
Porter sees a clear winner
Porter recently gave his unfiltered opinion on The Porter Way Podcast, and he didn’t hesitate when asked about the outcome. “I got Jake Paul by KO,” he stated plainly.
Unlike analysts who base predictions on current stats or media appearances, Porter is drawing from personal observation. His concerns go beyond ring rust or technique—they go straight to Chavez Jr.’s work ethic.
“That was it for the day?”: Behind the gym doors
Porter recalled eye-opening moments from past training sessions where Chavez Jr.’s preparation left little to admire. “He doesn’t have a gas tank. That means you’re not working and training out of the gym,” Porter said. “I saw the in-gym stuff and you scratch your head like ‘that was it for the day?’”
His recollections painted a concerning picture of the former champion’s discipline and dedication—or lack thereof. “One day he came into the gym, he shadowboxed, I don’t know if he made it a round on the bag, then he packed up and left … I’ve seen some short stuff. I don’t want to disrespect, but it will make you scratch your head. The other fighters were laughing like ‘that was it? Why did he show up?’”
A growing list of doubters
Porter isn’t the only one casting doubt on Chavez Jr.’s commitment. Golden Boy Promotions founder Oscar De La Hoya has also questioned the Mexican fighter’s preparedness ahead of the June bout, citing similar concerns from earlier phases in Chavez Jr.’s career.
While Chavez Jr. claims he’s “back to his best,” the credibility of that statement remains up in the air. Many are watching closely to see if this bout marks a comeback—or simply another missed opportunity.
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Paul eyes another step forward
As for Paul, this fight offers a chance to silence critics once again. While he’s still viewed as an outsider by purists, victories over fading veterans like Chavez Jr. could build enough of a résumé to force a shift in perception. June 28 promises drama, storylines, and tension—especially with voices like Porter’s raising the stakes outside the ring.