When arguably the greatest Mexican boxer of all time speaks, the world listens—and when he is saying something nice, especially about his son with whom he hasn’t shared a cordial relationship of late, it’s even more noticeable. The Boxing legend Julio César Chávez has thrown his full support behind his son, Julio César Chávez Jr., ahead of his electrifying matchup against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The 10-round cruiserweight clash is set for June 28 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, and it’s already shaping up to be more than just another crossover spectacle for Jake Paul.

However, when it comes to Chavez Jr., his father sees something different—a hunger that’s been missing for years. “I went to go watch Jr. train two times recently and he’s impressed me,” the three-division champion told Most Valuable Promotions. “Never in my life have I seen him train so hard for a fight.”

Julio César Chávez didn’t mince words when asked about his son’s preparation and chances. “I told him, if he keeps training like this, I have no doubt he beats Jake,” said the Mexican legend, summarizing his belief in his son’s abilities in one line. It seems that Chavez Sr. is supremely confident in his son’s abilities to secure a win over ‘The Problem Child’. However, it should be noted that the former middleweight champion’s career has been anything but smooth. Disrupted by disciplinary issues, failed drug tests, rehab, and a brief time behind bars, his career has been particularly rocky for the past three years. At 39, his return should be a matter of concern. But since his father is confident of his chances, it would be better not to question the boxing legend.

In the other corner stands Jake Paul, a name synonymous with both controversy and collaboration. With a professional boxing record of 11 wins and 1 loss, he has made a surprising dent in the combat sports world. Paul’s unconventional path has shaken up combat sports, even if skeptics still question the caliber of his opposition.

Victories over MMA veterans like Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz have added intrigue, though critics argue he has yet to face a true, battle-tested boxer in his prime. His only defeat came in 2023 via split decision against Tommy Fury, a career boxer and the younger brother of Tyson Fury. Paul has long tried to chase a mega-fight with Canelo Álvarez, but after that failed to materialize, Julio César Chávez Jr. became the next big target—a name with weight and history, if not form.

Although Julio César Chávez is confident now, just a few days ago, he expressed concerns about his son’s chances when he faces Jake Paul.

Julio Cesar Chavez warns his son about what can go wrong in the Jake Paul fight

Just a week ago, the 62-year-old gave a candid assessment of his son’s chances against Jake Paul, revealing both newfound confidence and lingering concern. According to Chávez Sr., the issue isn’t power or durability—“He hits hard and he can take a punch,” he said—but rather a lack of volume and conditioning. In boxing, volume refers to the number of punches a fighter throws throughout a bout. It’s a key factor in dictating the pace. Chávez Jr., despite his talent, has often been criticized for his low punch output and sluggish tempo. “He hasn’t been throwing enough punches,” his father admitted. He urged his son to “start strong and go for the knockout early.”

Chávez Sr. also stressed that this isn’t just another fight—it’s a potential turning point. “He’s been given a lot of opportunities already, and I consider this his second-to-last chance,” he noted. “The last one is when you walk away for good.” At 39, Chávez Jr. is far from his peak, and this bout may determine whether he remains in the sport.

For the father, this is about more than just winning. It’s about restoring integrity, health, and perhaps finally closing a chapter defined as much by promise as by chaos.

All in all, this fight isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about legacy vs. legitimacy, old-school honor vs. new-age showmanship, and most of all, a father’s renewed faith in his son’s final shot at greatness. Will he win? What do you think?