Deportation and Arrest in Hermosillo
Julio César Chávez Jr., a former WBC middleweight champion, was detained in Hermosillo, Sonora, on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, after being deported from the U.S. Mexican authorities took the 39-year-old into custody following a February 2025 arrest warrant accusing him of arms and drug trafficking and ties to the Sinaloa Cartel, a notorious organized crime group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.
U.S. Immigration Issues Lead to Deportation
Chávez was arrested by U.S. immigration officials in Studio City, Los Angeles, on July 2, 2025, shortly after losing a boxing match to Jake Paul. The Department of Homeland Security cited an overstayed tourist visa, which expired in February 2024, and discrepancies in Chávez’s green card application based on his marriage to Frida Muñoz, a U.S. citizen linked to Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán. On June 27, an immigration judge ordered his expedited removal, deeming him a public safety threat.
Allegations and Ongoing Investigation
Mexico’s Attorney General, Alejandro Gertz Manero, revealed that an investigation into Chávez’s alleged cartel connections began in 2019. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed his deportation on Tuesday, noting uncertainty about his exact arrival time in Mexico. Chávez faces charges of arms and drug trafficking, with authorities probing his links to the Sinaloa Cartel, though he has not been criminally convicted in the U.S.
Chávez’s Troubled Career and Personal Struggles
The son of boxing legend Julio César Chávez, the younger Chávez held the WBC middleweight title from 2011 to 2012 but faced persistent criticism for inconsistent commitment. His career was marred by addiction issues, failed drug tests, suspensions, and missed weigh-ins. Chávez also faced legal troubles in Los Angeles, where he was charged with possessing two unregistered AR-style ghost rifles and released on a $50,000 bond with a condition to attend a drug treatment facility.
Legacy and Broader Context
Chávez’s detention adds to the complex legacy of his family, with his father, a celebrated boxer, known for associations with drug lords like Amado Carrillo Fuentes. The former champion’s fall from grace, marked by losses to fighters like Canelo Álvarez and Sergio Martinez, has been compounded by these legal battles. As investigations continue, the case underscores ongoing U.S.-Mexico efforts to combat cartel influence and cross-border crime.
