Paul vs Chavez headlines June 28 DAZN PPV
Jake Paul will meet Julio Cesar Chavez Jr this summer, while Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defends his cruiserweight against Yuniel Dorticos in the co-feature
DAZN and Most Valuable Promotions announced today that Jake Paul will meet Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in the main event of a June 28th PPV at Anaheim, CA’s Honda Center.
“Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion. I just defeated the baddest man on the planet, and now I’m going against a former champion who conman Canelo couldn’t finish,” said Jake Paul. “Chávez Jr. is Mexican, but I, El Gallo De Dorado, have the will and heart of the great Mexican fighters. On Saturday, June 28, live on DAZN pay-per-view, I will knock out Julio and make Chávez Sr. proud in ways Jr. never has. Another massive event from Most Valuable Promotions, with some Oscar De La Hoya seasoning added to the show. Viva La Puerto Rico.”
“First of all, I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life—mentally and physically,” said Julio César Chávez Jr. “I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger. Second, I want to thank MVP for taking the risk of fighting me. Unfortunately for their Problem Child, they’re going to have a big problem this June—one they won’t know how to resolve. Hopefully when I beat him, people won’t underestimate this win.”
Paul (11-1, 7 KO) was on a “look, I’m fighting real boxers now” kick for a bit, smashing Andre August and Ryan Bourland, but has since returned to his usual M.O. After beating down undersuzed UFC veteran turned bare-knuckle champ Mike Perry, he took home a unanimous decision over the rusted hulk of Mike Tyson in an appalling but extremely lucrative debacle last November.
With the power of diuretics and favorable judging on his side, Chavez (54-6-1, 34 KO) was a decent middleweight 13 years ago. He’s now 39 years old and his only win in the last 3.5 years was a six-rounder over former UFC middleweight contender Uriah Hall last July. Not great, Bob.
The better-but-still-not-compelling co-main event pits unified cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (47-1, 30 KO) against former IBF champ Yuniel Dorticos (27-2, 25 KO). Dorticos gave a strong account of himself in both of his World Boxing Super Series bids, beating the likes of Dmitry Kudryashov, Mateusz Masternak, and Andrew Tabiti, but he’s nearly half a decade removed from a narrow loss to Mairis Briedis and had just three fights in that span.
That said, this one’s not on Ramirez, as Dorticos somehow finagled his way into the WBA mandatory slot. I genuinely do think we’ll get the Opetaia fight once he dispatches the 39-year-old “KO Doctor” and Opetaia takes out Claudio Squeo.
“I’m excited to step back into the ring this June to defend my WBA and WBO titles. This fight marks my WBA mandatory, and I know I need to get past this opponent to stay on track in my journey toward greatness—and ultimately, to become the undisputed champion,” said Zurdo Ramirez. “I’ve been training non-stop and feel sharper than ever as I continue to grow and mature in the sport. The goal hasn’t changed. I’m locked in, and I’m proud to be featured on this card alongside Jake Paul and my good friend Julio César Chávez Jr. A big thank you to my team, Golden Boy Promotions, MVP, the WBA, the WBO, and all my fans. I can’t wait to put on a show you won’t forget.”
“I want to thank MVP, my promoters and Golden Boy for this opportunity,” said Yuniel Dorticós. “My goal is to become a three-time world champion, and now by fighting Zurdo Ramirez I have been granted the chance to accomplish my goals on Saturday, June 28.”