LOS ANGELES — Famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested for coming into the U.S. illegally and shall be deported to Mexico, the place he faces organized crime prices, federal officials said Thursday.
The arrest comes solely days after the previous middleweight champion fought in a match Saturday towards Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.
The 39-year-old boxer was picked up by numerous federal brokers whereas he was using a scooter in entrance of his dwelling in Studio Metropolis, in line with Chávez’s legal professional Michael Goldstein.
“The present allegations are outrageous and easily one other headline to terrorize the neighborhood,” Goldstein mentioned.
Goldstein didn’t know the place Chávez was being detained as of Thursday morning, however mentioned they have been due in courtroom Monday associated to gun possession prices from final 12 months and have been to offer an replace on his progress in a substance abuse program.
The Division of Homeland Safety mentioned Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detained Chávez for overstaying a vacationer visa that expired in February 2024 after he entered the nation in August 2023.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Companies flagged ICE about Chávez final 12 months, saying he “is an egregious public security risk,” and but he was allowed again into the nation Jan. 4, the company mentioned.
Officers mentioned he has an lively arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trafficking firearms, ammunition, and explosives and is believed to be an affiliate of the Sinaloa Cartel. The Related Press contacted Mexico’s Lawyer Normal’s Workplace concerning the prices however the workplace has not responded but.
The Trump administration mentioned Chávez utilized for a inexperienced card on April 2, 2024, primarily based on his marriage to a U.S. citizen, Frida Muñoz, the previous accomplice of Édgar Guzmán López, the now-deceased son of imprisoned Sinaloa cartel kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
The company mentioned Chávez had submitted a number of fraudulent statements on his utility, which led to his arrest.
Chávez had fought simply as soon as since 2021 earlier than his bout with Paul on Saturday, having fallen to innumerable lows throughout a prolonged boxing profession carried out within the shadow of his father, one of the beloved athletes in Mexican historical past. The son has failed drug assessments, served suspensions and egregiously missed weight whereas being broadly criticized for his intermittent dedication to the game.
He nonetheless rose to its heights, profitable the WBC middleweight title in 2011 and defending it 3 times. Chávez shared the ring with generational greats Canelo Álvarez and Sergio Martinez, dropping to each.
After battling drug dependancy for lengthy stretches of his profession, Chávez went to a rehabilitation clinic in Sinaloa and claimed to be clear for the Paul struggle. He regarded in his greatest form in years whereas getting ready for the match.
Chávez mentioned in an interview with the Los Angeles Instances forward of his struggle with Paul that he and his trainers have been scared by the immigration arrests.
“I do not perceive the scenario – why a lot violence? There are a whole lot of good folks, and also you’re giving the neighborhood an instance of violence,” Chávez mentioned. “After every thing that is occurred, I would not need to be deported.”