Tommy Fury throws subtle jab at Jake Paul ahead of fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Tommy Fury has broken his silence regarding Jake Paul’s next challenge—an upcoming showdown against former WBC world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Set for June 28 in California, the 10-round cruiserweight clash pits Paul against the son of Mexican boxing royalty in what many see as his toughest traditional boxing test to date.

Fury, the only man to defeat Paul in a sanctioned boxing match, weighed in on the matchup during an interview with Seconds Out. While acknowledging Chavez Jr.’s declining years, Fury still suggested the former champion should outclass Paul, hinting that his own win over the YouTuber-turned-fighter sets a clear precedent.

“I don’t know, it is what it is, but put it this way, if I can box circles round him, a former world champion who’s done 12 rounds with Canelo Alvarez and many great champions, he should be able to do one better, shouldn’t he? But listen, age is a killer isn’t it. He’s fighting someone past his pomp, way past his pomp,” Fury said.

A quiet period for Fury, A bold streak for Paul

Since their February 2023 bout, Fury has spent most of his time sidelined due to an elbow injury, leaving the door open for Paul to build his resume elsewhere. The American has since faced a slew of MMA icons, including a controversial booking against Mike Tyson, which divided the combat sports world.

Tommy Fury celebrates victory during the Misfits Cruiserweight fight between KSI (Olajide Olayinka Williams) and Tommy Fury at AO Arena on October 14, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Chavez Jr. has been a largely inactive figure in recent years. Despite his storied lineage and experience—including going the distance with Canelo Alvarez—the 39-year-old has struggled with consistency both in and out of the ring. Still, promoters remain determined to make the Paul-Chavez Jr. bout happen, with Bob Arum reportedly confident the fight will proceed regardless of any hurdles.

see also

Jake Paul reveals secret DMs with Tyson Fury amid push for Tommy Fury rematch

A matchup clouded by skepticism

The announcement of the bout has drawn mixed reactions within the boxing community. For some, it’s another spectacle; for others, a litmus test to gauge Paul’s legitimacy against a more traditional, if fading, opponent.

As Fury’s subtle dig suggests, expectations are now higher for Paul to prove he can handle a seasoned boxer—not just retired MMA fighters or social media stars. Whether he passes this next test or not could shape how long the boxing world continues to take his journey seriously.