The Mexican President is making waves by advocating for boxer Julio César Chávez Jr.’s deportation and local sentencing amidst international legal turmoil.
At a Glance
- Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been arrested by ICE in Los Angeles and is facing deportation.
- The Mexican President has stated she expects him to be deported to serve any sentence in Mexico.
- U.S. authorities are seeking his expedited removal due to alleged associations with the Sinaloa Cartel.
- Chávez Jr.’s wife was previously married to the son of the notorious drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.
A Champion’s Son in Custody
Julio César Chávez Jr., a former middleweight champion and the son of a Mexican boxing legend, has been arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The 39-year-old boxer is facing U.S. charges for illegal possession of an assault weapon and DUI, and is being held for overstaying his tourist visa.
The case has taken on an international dimension, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly stating that she expects Chávez Jr. to be sent back to his home country. “The hope is that he will be deported and serve the sentence in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference.
Allegations of Sinaloa Cartel Ties
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is seeking Chávez Jr.’s expedited removal from the country, alleging that he is associated with the dangerous Sinaloa Cartel. According to a report from Fox News, these allegations are bolstered by Chávez Jr.’s family connections.
On July 2, ICE arrested Mexican boxer and criminal illegal alien Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
He is now being processed for expedited removal from the United States. This Sinaloa Cartel affiliate has an active arrest warrant in Mexico for his involvement in organized crime and… pic.twitter.com/c4QeRVpCEr
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 3, 2025
His wife, Frida Muñoz Chávez, was previously married to Edgar Guzman Lopez, the son of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel kingpin Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. Edgar Guzman Lopez was killed in a 2008 cartel shootout. Authorities in Mexico also have an outstanding arrest warrant for Chávez Jr. for trafficking in weapons and explosives.
An “Outrageous” Accusation?
Chávez Jr.’s U.S. lawyer, Michael Goldstein, has vehemently denied the allegations. He has blasted the claims of cartel connections as “outrageous” and suggested they are designed to create a media spectacle and “terrorize the community,” according to Yahoo Sports.
The high-profile case presents a complex legal and diplomatic challenge. As Chávez Jr. remains in U.S. custody, the two countries must now navigate the competing charges and the demand from the Mexican president for his return.
