Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr managed to keep their hands off each other as they came face-to-face at their final pre-fight face-off in Anaheim.
The pair have had an intense build-up, with former middleweight world champion Chavez Jr accusing Paul of using steroids, among other below the belt insults. And they came head-to-head at the Honda Center for one last press conference on Thursday afternoon.
The face-off was ultimately relatively tame given the intensity of the press conference which included a violent threat from Paul to an undercard fighter. They will go head-to-head once more tomorrow evening at the ceremonial weigh-ins before doing battle on Saturday night on DAZN pay-per-view.
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Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr share fiery press conference face-off
The press conference between Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr kicked off with some pantomime theatrics from the main event stars. Paul first adorned Chavez’s desk with a sign declaring ‘I will be getting knocked out’, which his rival proceeded to move to his side.
Chavez then took out a t-shirt referencing his famous father, while also intimating that he is Paul’s ‘daddy’. They threw the shirt back-and-forth before engaging in a verbal back-and-forth that ended with fans trolling Paul with a customary ‘F— Jake Paul’ chant.
Paul even found himself doing verbal battle with undercard star Julian Rodriguez, who branded him ‘Mr Tik Tok’. Rodriguez is facing Most Valuable Promotions’ newest signing Avious Griffin, with his promoter noting that even though he is putting on the event he doesn’t know the welterweight’s name.
Eventually the fighters came head-to-head, with Paul and Chavez remaining calm as they faced off for the penultimate time during fight week.
Jake Paul has vowed to embarrass Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in grudge fight
During his open workout yesterday, Paul explained that he plans to knock out and “embarrass” Chavez Jr on Saturday night. The pair have begun to fire serious needle at one another, with the former champion insisting that his rival is far from a good boxer.
Paul had a witty one-liner in response, telling Chavez ‘I’m not a good boxer, I’m a great boxer,’ and insisting that he would show that off on Saturday.
The Mexican has fought major names such as Canelo Alvarez and Andy Lee, even winning multiple world title fights, but has fallen on hard times in his personal life. He has been in and out of rehab but has returned to the ring, insisting that he has intentions of going for another championship.