After months of teasing big names like Gervonta Davis, Canelo Álvarez, and even Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul has finally landed on his next opponent. And no, it’s not one of those elite superstars. It’s Julio César Chávez Jr. Yeah, we know—it’s not exactly the dream matchup Jake Paul had in mind. Especially after that bizarre fight with Mike Tyson last November. But hey, let’s look at the bright side. This time, Jake Paul’s stepping into the ring with someone a little closer in age and still active in the sport. Not a retired legend. That’s progress, right?

The fight is officially set for June 28th at the Honda Center in Anaheim. And Chávez Jr., for what it’s worth, is coming off a win last year over former MMA fighter Uriah Hall. Still, this isn’t just another fight. This one feels different. Why? Because it’s not just boxer vs. influencer anymore. It’s a full-blown collision of two totally different boxing worlds. The son of a Mexican legend vs. the YouTube star who somehow made himself a name in the ring. Say what you want about Jake Paul, but he’s stayed in the conversation, and he’s made people watch. Oh, and here’s something new!

Unlike The Problem Child’s last fight at AT&T Stadium, this summer’s showdown won’t be streamed on Netflix. That alone changes the commercial game plan and adds a whole new layer to how this fight might be received and promoted. And guess who’s already chiming in? Ryan Garcia. Obviously, Jake Paul didn’t like how the 26-year-old responded. He clapped back in 6 words straight. “Gonna find out now, aren’t we,” he wrote in his Instagram Story, sharing a clip where KingRy was sharing his take on the June matchup. So what did he say?

So, a reporter recently asked Ryan Garcia the million-dollar question: “Jake Paul or Chávez Jr.? Who you got on that one?” And Ryan, being Ryan, didn’t pick sides outright. Instead, he dropped a little reality check. His response? “Can Jake handle a Mexican professional fighter? You know it’s tough…. if you’re not used to that, you know?”

Now pause for a second. Because that actually says a lot without saying too much. What Ryan Garcia’s getting at here is the grit, the style, and the pressure that come with fighting someone who grew up in the Mexican boxing tradition. It’s not just about skill. It’s about heart, pace, toughness, and a relentless kind of pressure that can drown you if you’re not prepared for it.

And for someone like Jake Paul, who’s only been boxing for a few years and mostly fought guys with either less experience or retired legends—this could be a whole different beast. So yeah, Ryan Garcia didn’t say, ‘Chávez Jr. is going to win.’ But he did basically say, Let’s see if the 11-0, 7 KO boxer is really ready for what it means to face the 54-6, 34 KO boxer. And honestly? That’s a fair point.

But while Jake Paul seems confident in the fight, is that the same case with his opponent, too? How did he respond to the fight announcement? Let’s take a look.

Redemption or spotlight? What Jake Paul really means for Cesar Chávez Jr.

Even if the career hasn’t quite lived up to the legacy, being a former WBC middleweight champion from 2011 to 2012 with a solid resume of 54 wins, 34 of those by knockout, Chávez Jr. is no rookie. But let’s be real for a second. His career has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Between long breaks from the sport, high-profile losses, and personal issues outside the ring! It’s been far from smooth sailing.

Just last year, in 2024, Cesar Chávez Jr. entered rehab in L.A. after getting arrested for illegal possession of weapons. That’s the kind of headline that makes you wonder if he’s still serious about boxing—or if those days are behind him.

But here’s where it gets interesting: he actually wants this fight. Not necessarily because Jake Paul’s a champion (he’s not), but because of the media attention it brings. Cesar Chávez Jr. admitted it himself. Fighting The Problem Child could be his way back into the spotlight and maybe even into bigger, more serious fights down the line. In his own words: “I would be interested in fighting a champion, but fighting Jake Paul, because of the fame and the media, would put me in a place to fight against others… It’s not concrete, but let’s see what happens.” And he didn’t stop there.

Cesar Chávez Jr. even called Jake out on social media, saying, “Jake Paul, you say you can fight anyone you want! But you won’t fight someone who knows how to do it. It’s time, Jake!”

And for once, it’s not just the internet buzzing. Even the WBA president, Gilberto Jesús Mendoza, threw some fuel on the fire. After Jake Paul knocked out Mike Perry in the sixth round, and Chávez Jr. beat Uriah Hall on the same card last year. Mendoza on X wrote, “I am not against @jakepaul v. @jcchavezjr for a championship.” That comment alone turned a lot of heads.

So yeah, the matchup is official. The question now is—what kind of fight are we getting? Is Chávez Jr. ready to try and reclaim some of that lost glory, maybe revive the legacy his father built? Or is this just another big payday for Jake Paul in a spectacle-style fight? Do share your thoughts with us below.