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HERMISILLO, Mexico: A judge in Mexico said boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will stand trial over alleged cartel ties and arms trafficking but could await that trial outside of detention, the boxer’s lawyer said.
Chavez’s lawyer, Ruben Fernando Benitez Alvarez, confirmed that the court imposed additional measures and granted three months of further investigation into the case. He described the claims against his client as “speculation” and “urban legends” following the court hearing on Saturday in the northern Mexican city of Hermosillo.
If convicted, Chavez – who took part in the hearing virtually from a detention facility – could face a prison sentence of between four and eight years, Alvarez said.
Chavez, 39, who had been living in the United States for several years, was arrested in early July by federal agents outside his Los Angeles home for overstaying his visa and providing inaccurate details on an application to obtain a green card. The arrest came just days after a fight he had with famed American boxer Jake Paul in Los Angeles.
Since 2019, Mexican prosecutors have been investigating the boxer following a complaint filed by US authorities against the Sinaloa Cartel for organized crime, human trafficking, arms trafficking and drug trafficking.
The case led to investigations against 13 people, among them Ovidio Guzman Lopez – the son of convicted drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman – along with some collaborators, hitmen and accomplices of the criminal organization. Guzman Lopez was arrested in January 2023 and extradited to the US eight months later.
Following the inquiry, the Federal Attorney General’s Office issued several arrest warrants, including one against Chavez.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said Chavez was wanted since 2023 in Mexico, but that he wasn’t detained because he spent most of the time in the US
“The hope is that he will be deported and serve the sentence in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said in July.
The boxer, who is the son of Mexican boxing great Julio Cesar Chavez, was deported by the US on Aug. 19 and handed over to agents of the Federal Attorney General’s Office in Sonora state, who transferred him to the Federal Social Reintegration Center in Hermosillo.
The high-profile case come as the Trump administration is pressuring Mexico to crack down on organized crime, canceling visas of notable Mexican artists and celebrities and ramping up deportations.
Chavez has struggled with drug addiction throughout his career and has been arrested multiple times. In 2012, he was found guilty of driving under the influence in Los Angeles and was sentenced to 13 days in jail.
He was arrested last year for weapons possession. Police reported that Chavez had two rifles. He was released shortly afterward upon posting $50,000 bail, on the condition that he attend a facility to receive treatment for his addiction.

FRISCO: Son Heung-Min scored his first goal to help Los Angeles FC earn a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday night.
Heung-Min scored unassisted for his first goal six minutes into his third MLS appearance to give LAFC (11-6-8) the lead.
Dallas (7-11-9) pulled even in the 13th minute when Logan Farrington used an assist from Patrickson Delgado — his third — to score his career-high fifth goal. Farrington had four goals in 29 appearances as a rookie last season.
Michael Collodi finished with four saves for Dallas in his fifth career start. Collodi, 24, has allowed four goals while filling in for injured starter Maarten Paes.
Hugo Lloris saved one shot for LAFC, which leads the all-time series 7-4-3 despite a 1-4-2 record in Frisco.
LAFC’s only road win in the series was a 3-2 victory Oct. 20, 2021. The club is 3-3-6 on the road this season.
LAFC has lost just twice in its last 18 matches — 1-0 losses at home to the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps.
Dallas is 3-8-3 at home but 2-1-2 in its last five matches overall.
LAFC will host San Diego FC on Aug. 31. Dallas returns to action on Sept. 6 at St. Louis City.