𝐌𝐄𝐗𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐍 𝐁𝐎𝐗𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐔.𝐒., 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐋 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

 

                                             

Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr

Former boxing champion Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested in Los Angeles for overstaying his visa and submitting false information on a U.S. green card application, federal officials announced Thursday. The 39-year-old is now facing deportation to Mexico, where he is under investigation for ties to organized crime.

Chávez was taken into custody by federal agents on Wednesday while riding a scooter in Studio City. Officials say he entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in August 2023, which expired in February, later  applying for permanent residency, but allegedly providing fraudulent information.

Chávez, son of Mexican boxing legend Julio César Chávez Sr., has had a troubled career, marked by drug issues and legal problems, previously serving jail time for DUI and arrested in January 2024 for possessing illegal ghost guns. He'd been released on bond awaiting treatment for addiction before trial. 

Mexico's Attorney General alleges Chávez worked for “El Nini,” a top security chief in the Sinaloa Cartel, carrying out violent punishments on cartel members. Wiretapped conversations claim Chávez beat people for cartel infractions, sometimes treating them like punching bags.

The boxer is also reportedly connected to cartel-linked social circles and has appeared in videos with influencers and luxury cars allegedly tied to organized crime.

Chávez's family released a statement defending him and calling for a fair investigation. Meanwhile, Mexico has begun extradition proceedings.

Public reaction in Mexico has been mixed, with some calling him a victim of U.S. politics and others pointing to his long history of substance abuse and legal troubles.

Once a WBC middleweight titleholder, Chávez’s career has long lived in the shadow of his father’s legacy. Despite recent setbacks, he claimed to be clean ahead of his next scheduled fight and appeared in top form.