Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has been deported to Mexico, where he is wanted for alleged cartel ties, following his arrest in the U.S. for overstaying his visa and lying on a green card application. Chávez, 39, was handed over by authorities and admitted to a prison outside of Hermosillo, in the northern state of Sonora, as confirmed by an official. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum also confirmed the deportation, stating that they were informed of his arrival in Mexico.

Chávez had an active warrant for his arrest in Mexico for alleged arms and drug trafficking and ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Mexico's attorney general, Alejandro Gertz Manero, stated that the investigation into Chávez began in 2019. His U.S. arrest occurred on July 2 or 3, just days after his high-profile fight with YouTube star Jake Paul in California, which he lost on points after 10 rounds.

The boxer, son of legendary Mexican fighter Julio César Chávez, has battled addiction for much of his career, marked by failed drug tests, suspensions, and issues with making weight. His father, a massive celebrity in the 1980s and 1990s known for social circles that included dealers and claims of friendship with drug lord Amado Carrillo Fuentes, defended his son after his arrest but has not spoken publicly since the deportation. Chávez Jr.'s lawyer and family have publicly rejected the accusations made against him.

In his boxing career, Chávez Jr. won the WBC middleweight title in 2011, defending it three times before losing it to Sergio Martinez in 2012, after which he tested positive for cannabis and served a nine-month ban. He also shared the ring with generational greats like Canelo Álvarez, losing to both.

Beyond his boxing struggles, Chávez Jr. has faced significant legal issues. In 2012, he was convicted of drunken driving in Los Angeles, resulting in a 13-day jail sentence. More recently, in January 2024, he was arrested on gun charges for allegedly possessing two AR-style 'ghost rifles'. He was later freed on a $50,000 bond under the condition that he attend a residential drug treatment facility, with that case still pending and Chávez regularly reporting his progress.