Boxing Legend Julio Cesar Chavez Fights for His Son’s Freedom Amid Immigration Drama

MEXICO CITY (AP) — As a professional, Julio Cesar Chavez fought 115 times in the ring. Now, the former world champion says he’s ready to fight outside of it to defend his namesake son, who was arrested by U.S. immigration agents at his Los Angeles home for overstaying his visa and lying on a green card application.

The 39-year-old Chavez Jr. also faces an active arrest warrant in Mexico for alleged arms and drug trafficking, with suspected links to the Sinaloa Cartel.

\”It’s complicated, there’s a lot of speculation, but we’re staying calm because we know my son is innocent,\” the elder Chavez told El Heraldo newspaper. \”My son may be many things, but he is not a criminal, and he’s certainly not guilty of what he’s being accused of.\”

Alejandro Gertz Manero, Mexico’s Attorney General, revealed on Sunday that the investigation into Chavez Jr. began in 2019 following a complaint from U.S. authorities against the Sinaloa Cartel for organized crime, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking.

\”He knows a lot of people; we live in Culiacan, and it would be impossible not to know individuals involved in illegal activities, but that doesn’t mean anything,\” Chavez Sr. explained. \”In my day, I knew everyone, and they didn’t come after me.\”

Chavez Sr. is widely regarded as one of the greatest Mexican boxers of all time, having held world titles in three weight divisions. During the 1980s and ’90s, he was a major celebrity who associated with drug dealers. He has previously admitted to being friends with drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes.

Gertz Manero stated that Chavez Jr.’s legal team has filed at least five injunctions in Mexico, all of which have been rejected because the boxer remains in the United States.

\”Lawyers in the United States are working to see if he can stay there, and we’re prepared if he comes here,\” Chavez Sr. said. \”We’ll fight under Mexican law if he’s extradited.\”

The arrest of Chavez Jr. came just days after the former middleweight champion lost to influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a bout in Anaheim, California.

The Department of Homeland Security reported that officials decided to arrest Chavez Jr. on June 27, the day before the fight. It remains unclear why they waited several days after the high-profile event to take action.

\”Why did they let him fight? My son has been paying taxes in the United States for three years, and now in Mexico they’re accusing him of money laundering,\” Chavez Sr. said. \”Yes, he knows those people, but that doesn’t mean I’m a drug trafficker. Let’s trust in the legal process.\”