Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., a former world middleweight champion, has been taken into custody in the United States for immigration violations and is set to be deported to Mexico, where he faces charges related to organized crime, according to U.S. federal officials.

This arrest occurred shortly after he participated in an exhibition match against Jake Paul in Anaheim, California.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that immigration authorities (ICE) detained Chavez for exceeding the duration of his tourist visa, which lapsed in February 2024. He entered the country in August 2023.

In addition to the immigration charge, Chavez has an outstanding warrant in Mexico, where he is alleged to be involved in organized crime, including trafficking weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Officials report that he has connections to the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most powerful organized crime groups in Mexico.

ICE agents apprehended him on July 2 in Studio City, a suburb of Los Angeles.

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