Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was able to follow in his father’s footsteps to become a world champion.
The son of Julio Cesar Chavez, one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time, is set to return to the ring in June 2025. Taking on Jake Paul, Chavez Jr. will be the first opponent to face the internet star since Mike Tyson.
Chavez Jr. will return to the boxing ring after almost a year, having beaten former UFC star Uriah Hall in 2024. Chavez Jr. also lost to Anderson Silva in 2021, who formerly lost to Paul.
However, before facing the former UFC stars, Chavez Jr. was a world champion. His reign included a stoppage win over a now-high-profile coach.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. stopped Andy Lee in 2012
Fighting in Texas in June 2012, Chavez Jr. would aim to defend his WBC World Middleweight title against Irish fighter Andy Lee.
Lee was getting his first world title opportunity, as Chavez Jr. was attempting to defend his title for the third time. Despite Lee being ahead on the scorecards, he would be stopped by the champion.
Thanks to effective work inside the pocket from the Mexican, he began to land damaging blows on Lee. Then, in the seventh round, the referee had seen enough.
After Lee received some significant punches from the champion, he was waved off and handed the second defeat of his career. Irishman Lee would claim a world title in the years to come, before becoming a coach for the likes of Tyson Fury and Joseph Parker.
As for Chavez Jr., it would be the last victory of his title reign.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. suffered his first loss after Andy Lee victory
Despite having an impressive showing against Lee, Chavez Jr. would suffer his first loss in his next fight. Returning to the ring three months later, Sergio Martinez (49-2-2) would get the better of the champion.
Fighting in Las Vegas, a win over Martinez would have been Chavez Jr.’s fourth title defense. However, he was convincingly beaten by the Argentine.
Winning via unanimous decision, Martinez became the WBC World Middleweight champion for the second time.
Chavez Jr. would not get another opportunity to fight for a world title at the time of writing.