Jake Paul enjoyed a largely stress-free night as he picked up a comfortable points victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
‘The Problem Child’ was back in the ring for the first time since his win over Mike Tyson last year and was expected to be somewhat tested in California by the former world champion.
However, Chavez Jr did a good impression of Tyson in the early rounds, failing to land a single punch in the opening three minutes and offering nothing in the way of a threat in the first half of the bout. All three judges gave the first seven rounds to Paul.
The 28-year-old picked up the rounds without breaking a sweat, landing his jab and whipping in the occasional right hand, before he finally began to have something resembling opposition in the later stages.
Chavez Jr suddenly decided to engage and had a strong ninth, firing in a big uppercut and a sharp left hook that left Paul content to clinch and hear the bell.
The Mexican was told by his corner that he needed a knockout in the final round and did let his hands go but never looked like seriously hurting Paul, who won by unanimous decision as it was scored 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 in his favour.
Paul swiftly turned his attention to future opponents and called out some of the sport’s big names, including WBO and WBA cruiserweight world champion Zurdo Ramirez, who defended his belts against Yuniel Dorticos earlier in the night.
“I want tougher fighters,” Paul said.
“I want to be world champion. Zurdo looked slow as s*** tonight, that would be easy work too. Badou Jack, I want everybody. Anthony Joshua, Gervonta [Davis], and Tommy [Fury] stop running.”
Former three-division world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Sr watched on from ringside and had his head in his hands as he watched on with bemusement at his son’s dreadful start.
Chavez Jr was at his most engaged when complaining to the referee about perceived low blows, though on each occasion he was told those had been legal shots.
The 39-year-old was left to rue the opening rounds, as he also warned Paul that he was not good enough to take on those at the top of the sport.
“I lost the last five rounds, so I tried to win the last four rounds,” Chavez Jr said.
“Jake is a good boxer, but after four rounds I felt he tired. But he’s a good boxer.
“He’s strong, the first three, four rounds. After that, I feel I tired him so I don’t think he’s ready for the champions, but he’s a good fighter.”
