The Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Was arrested on Wednesday by immigration and customs enforcement in Studio City, California.
The Ministry of Interior Security announced the arrest of Chávez In a press release on Thursday, in which the 39-year-old former middleweight champion is described as a “threat of public safety” with alleged ties with the Sinaloa cartel.
“Chavez is a Mexican citizen with an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and trade in firearms, ammunition and explosives,” was the statement.
The son of several time World Champion Julio César Chávez Sr., the boxer lost a controversial 10-round match With influencer boxer Jake Paul last Saturday.
In the statement, DHS said that the Chávez processed for accelerated removal from the United States.
“Under President Trump, no one is above the law-inclusive world-famous athletes,” said assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin in the release. “Our message to cartelilis in the US is clear: we will find you and you will experience consequences. The days of uncontrolled cartel violence are over.”
Achieved for comment by De Los Angeles Times, The boxer’s manager, Sean Gibbons, said that his team “worked on a few issues” with regard to the arrest, but refused to comment further.
Michael A. Goldstein, a lawyer who represents Chávez, called the allegations against his client “scandalous” In a statement to the New York Times And said that the arrest of the boxer seemed to be designed as a head to terrorize the community. “
The representatives of Chávez did not immediately return Huffpost’s questions.
Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty images
According to the Agency, Chávez was introduced in August 2023 the US under a statutory B-2 tourist visa and in April 2024 he applied for permanent status.
His application was reportedly based on his marriage to the American citizen Frida Muñoz, who was married to Edgar Guzmán López, the son of Sinaloa cartoon leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán, until his death in 2008.
President Donald Trump has designated the Sinaloa cartel a foreign terrorist organization if he had accepted office in January.
In addition to the alleged tires of Chávez with the cartel, DHS called his criminal record for his arrest. The boxer was convicted of Dui in 2012 and was arrested according to DHS for illegal firearms costs in 2023 and 2024.
Chávez’s lawyer argues that his client had not been convicted of weapons attacks and the Times told that he “fully expected[s] His only current case that must be rejected. ‘
