Boxer in Hot Water: Chávez Jr. Faces Trial Over Cartel Links

A Mexican judge has decided that boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. will go to trial for alleged connections to a cartel and arms dealing. His lawyer says he won't have to stay in jail while waiting for the trial, but there's more investigation to come. The lawyer calls the accusations against Chávez "speculation" and "urban legends. " If found guilty, Chávez could spend four to eight years in prison. The 39-year-old boxer, who has been living in the U. S. , was arrested in July for overstaying his visa and giving false information on a green card application. This happened just days after his fight with American boxer Jake Paul. Since 2019, Mexican prosecutors have been looking into Chávez as part of a bigger case against the Sinaloa Cartel. This case involves organized crime, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and drug trafficking. Thirteen people were investigated, including Ovidio Guzmán López, the son of notorious drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán. Guzmán López was arrested in January 2023 and sent to the U. S. later that year.After the investigation, Mexican authorities issued arrest warrants, including one for Chávez. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned that Chávez had been wanted since 2023 but wasn't detained because he was mostly in the U. S. She hopes he will be deported to Mexico to serve his sentence. Chávez, son of legendary boxer Julio César Chávez, was deported from the U. S. on August 19 and handed over to Mexican authorities. He is now in a federal reintegration center in Hermosillo. This case is big news, especially with the Trump administration pushing Mexico to take action against organized crime. The U. S. has been canceling visas for Mexican celebrities and increasing deportations. Chávez has had a tough time with drug addiction throughout his career and has been arrested multiple times. In 2012, he was sentenced to 13 days in jail for driving under the influence. Last year, he was arrested for having two rifles but was released after posting bail and agreeing to get treatment.