Veteran boxing trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas did not hold back when addressing Julio César Chávez Jr.’s latest setback in the ring. After Chávez Jr. suffered a humiliating loss to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, Atlas unleashed a scathing critique, highlighting what he sees as wasted potential and a lack of dedication from the son of a Mexican boxing legend.
Chávez Jr., once viewed as a promising heir to the iconic Julio César Chávez Sr., has long been a controversial figure in boxing circles. His career has been riddled with questions about discipline, motivation, and commitment—issues that Atlas believes were painfully obvious in his performance against Paul.
Speaking on his podcast THE FIGHT with Teddy Atlas, the Hall of Fame trainer didn’t mince words: “This is a guy who was given every advantage you could ask for in this sport,” Atlas said. “He had the name, the backing, the opportunities. And what did he do with it? He squandered it. To lose to Jake Paul is embarrassing not just for him, but for the Chávez name.”
Atlas, known for his blunt honesty, went on to say that Chávez Jr.’s defeat is a symptom of a bigger issue in boxing today—fighters who rely more on social media hype than actual training and work ethic. “Jake Paul is not a real fighter by traditional standards, but at least the kid trains like one,” Atlas continued. “He respects the sport. Chávez Jr. hasn’t respected the sport in years. That’s why he’s in this position.”
The fight itself was another low point in Chávez Jr.’s turbulent career. Once a WBC middleweight champion, the Mexican fighter’s legacy has steadily declined with each disappointing performance. Against Paul, who has carefully built his boxing résumé fighting older MMA stars and influencers, Chávez Jr. was expected by some purists to finally deliver a dose of reality to the YouTube star. Instead, the opposite happened. Paul’s discipline, preparation, and relentless promotion proved too much for Chávez Jr., who seemed sluggish, uninspired, and unprepared for a fight that should have been his to win on experience alone.
Atlas made it clear that he holds Chávez Jr. responsible, not for losing, but for failing to honor the basic principles of the sport. “You can lose and keep your dignity,” Atlas said. “You can lose if you give it your all and come in prepared. But when you show up out of shape, with no plan, expecting your name to carry you—it’s insulting to the fans, to the sport, and to the legacy of his father, who gave everything to boxing.”
The comments have resonated with boxing fans frustrated by Chávez Jr.’s lackluster performances in recent years. Once one of the most anticipated prospects in the sport, Chávez Jr.’s career has been marked by weight issues, questionable training habits, and a string of puzzling losses to fighters he was favored to beat.
Atlas also used the moment to highlight Jake Paul’s role in modern boxing. While many purists see Paul as a sideshow, Atlas gave him reluctant credit for taking the sport seriously. “Say what you want about Jake Paul—he shows up in shape, he trains like a pro, he promotes himself brilliantly,” Atlas noted. “He’s figured out a way to make millions doing something he respects enough to prepare for. That alone puts him above Chávez Jr. in my book.”
For Chávez Jr., the future looks grim. After the fight, he offered the usual promises of returning stronger, but Atlas and many fans have heard it all before. “I don’t want to hear about another comeback,” Atlas concluded. “This isn’t about ability—it’s about attitude. If you’re not willing to sacrifice, to live the life, then don’t insult the sport and the fans by pretending you’re serious.”
Teddy Atlas’ stinging rebuke is just the latest in a chorus of criticism that Chávez Jr. now faces. Once the pride of Mexican boxing royalty, he is now a cautionary tale about what happens when talent and legacy are wasted through complacency and lack of discipline. For many, the loss to Jake Paul is not just another defeat—it’s a symbol of Chávez Jr.’s squandered promise and a moment that may finally close the chapter on one of boxing’s most disap
pointing stories.
