Pre-trial imprisonment mandated for Julio César Chávez Jr. by the judge.
In a significant development, Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Studio City, California on July 2 of this year. The arrest was the result of a collaborative effort between U.S. and Mexican authorities, as confirmed by the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson.
The preventive imprisonment ordered against Chávez Jr. aims to ensure there is no risk of flight or interference in the ongoing investigations. According to reports, the judge's decision was made at the Sonora Federal Justice Center in Hermosillo.
The National Detention Registry of the Ministry of Public Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) confirmed that Chávez Jr. was admitted to a prison in Hermosillo, Sonora. The boxer will remain incarcerated while his legal situation is resolved.
Chávez Jr. faces charges related to the trafficking of firearms, ammunition, and explosives in Mexico, as stated by U.S. authorities. Additionally, he is accused of alleged ties to the Sinaloa cartel, designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government. However, no further details about the alleged links to organized crime have been disclosed.
These allegations were among the reasons that expedited his handover to Mexico, an event that was documented by Ambassador Johnson in a photograph published on his official Twitter account on August 19, 2025. The photograph showed the transfer of Chávez Jr. from U.S. to Mexican authorities.
The Saturday hearing will be crucial in determining whether the boxer is formally linked to the process or if his release is determined. The defense has requested an extension of the deadline to present evidence and arguments. The hearing is set for Saturday at 5:00 PM.
The preventive imprisonment of Chávez Jr. has garnered significant media attention due to the gravity of the charges he faces and his relevance in the world of boxing. Sports figure Hugo Sánchez has expressed concern about the news of Chávez Jr.'s legal situation.
The diplomat wrote that this action reflects the solid cooperation between the U.S. and Mexican governments, demonstrating that collaboration yields results and strengthens the security of both nations. The future of Julio César Chávez Jr. remains uncertain as he awaits the resolution that will shape his immediate future in a Sonora prison.
