LOS ANGELES — Famed Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested for getting into the U.S. illegally and can be deported to Mexico, the place he faces organized crime costs, federal officers mentioned 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 driving a scooter in entrance of his dwelling in Studio Metropolis, in line with Chávez’s lawyer 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 costs 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 energetic 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 in regards to the costs however the workplace has not responded but.
The Trump administration mentioned Chávez utilized for a inexperienced card on April, 2, 2024, based mostly 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 software, 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, probably the most beloved athletes in Mexican historical past. The son has failed drug assessments, served suspensions and egregiously missed weight whereas being extensively 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, shedding 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 seemed in his finest form in years whereas making ready for the match.