Anaheim, June 28. Seven months after taking 58-year-old Mike Tyson the full distance at AT&T Stadium, Jake Paul returns to the ring. This time against former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The announcement has rocked the boxing world, with many still trying to make sense of it. The 39-year-old son of the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez is seen by some as just another faded name on Paul’s debatable record, which includes former champions and semi-retired fighters.
But Chavez Jr. appears clear in his intent as he heads into what might be the final marquee bout of his stop-start professional career. He’s out for revenge. On behalf of someone he’s idolized since childhood, a man who also happens to be a dear friend of his father: Mike Tyson. And Chavez says he’s ready to go to any lengths to do it, even refusing to accept any questionable contract terms, like the rumored ‘no knockout’ clause that surrounded Paul’s fight with Tyson last November.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on the Jake Paul fight: If we’re not throwing down, we’re standing down
Eli Seckbach caught up with Chavez Jr. during a break in his intense training camp. Because Chavez, who was born in Culiacan in Mexico’s Sinaloa state, sometimes struggled with English, an associate joined the conversation as it progressed.
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 05: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. poses during the official weigh-in at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 05, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Canelo Alvarez will face Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a middleweight bout on May 06 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. (Photo by Omar Vega/LatinContent via Getty Images)
As they reminisced about his father’s close friendship with Mike Tyson, Chavez Jr. called out to fans to buy the pay-per-views for the June fight. He stressed that the bout is a genuine contest. No scripts, no gimmicks, no oversized gloves. That led Seckbach to ask directly, “But there’s nothing in the contract that says no knockouts?”
This time, to get a better understanding, the associate who was standing nearby intervened. “Oh, that junior can’t knock him?” he asked before adding, “No, it’s a real fight.” Chavez Jr. then further stated, “I don’t sign things like that; yeah, he wouldn’t.” The associate finally affirmed, “I don’t think he would sell himself out like that. It’s 10 rounds of three minutes.”
So in the lead-up to this unexpected showdown, that kind of clarification might ease some concerns among boxing purists. When it comes to Jake Paul, fans have grown wary. Often it’s smoke and mirrors. But with Chavez Jr.’s unequivocal stance, at least part of the air has cleared.
Switched from KSI to Jake Paul, and no, it’s not a cash grab
Earlier, Seckbach started the interview by referencing the early rumors linking Chavez Jr. to a fight with KSI. “What happened? How did it go from KSI to Jake Paul?” the sports reporter asked. Chavez explained that when the offer came in, he opted for Jake Paul because he is the ‘bigger’ name.
Boxing: Jake Paul vs Andre August Dec 15, 2023 Orlando, Florida, USA Jake Paul gives a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after knocking out Andre August in the first round at the Caribe Royale Orlando. , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xNathanxRayxSeebeckx 20231215_nrs_fo8_00015_
However, he quickly added that, contrary to public perception, the decision wasn’t about money. “The opportunity to beat him is the business of this fight, so I’m fighting him because I want to beat him, and that’s the most important thing for me,” he clarified.
Seckbach then reminded Chavez Jr. that he had previously said he wanted to fight Jake Paul to avenge Mike Tyson. Chavez confirmed it. He expressed deep admiration for Tyson and said he was proud to be the first real boxer to face Paul after the Tyson bout.
Fans should remain alert nonetheless. This is a Jake Paul promotion. And if history has taught us anything, it’s to expect surprises as fight night draws near.
Though the Tyson bout didn’t include a no-knockout clause, it was still held under special rules. Should we expect something similar when Paul steps in with Chavez Jr.?
The post Julio César Chávez Jr. Won’t Sign Jake Paul’s ‘No Knockout’ Clause in Bid to Avenge Mike Tyson appeared first on EssentiallySports.
