Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will face former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in California on Saturday, 28 June.
American Paul, 28, is a divisive figure in the sport who beat a 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a much-hyped but drab contest in November.
Chavez Jr – the 39-year-old son of legendary former three-division world boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez – has competed just once since 2021.
“Five years ago, I stepped into the ring for my pro debut after a single amateur fight, and every fight since has been a step towards becoming world champion,” Paul said.
Paul, who found fame by posting prank videos on YouTube, has amassed a record of 11 wins, mostly against ex-UFC fighters. His only loss is to Briton Tommy Fury in 2023.
The self-proclaimed ‘Problem Child’ says he will “knock out” Chavez Jr at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
Mexican Chavez Jr has won 53 of his 61 fights and held the WBC middleweight title between 2011 and 2012.
In 2017, he went the distance with pound-for-pound star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez but he lost a boxing bout to former UFC champion Anderson Silva in 2021.
In July, Chavez Jr was booed by fans after he called out Paul following a laboured points win over ex-MMA fighter Uriah Hall.
“I will show what I can do now that everything is in the right place in my life – mentally and physically,” said Chavez Jr.
“I feel rejuvenated and 10 years younger.”
The cruiserweight bout will be over 10, three-minute rounds and the boxers will wear standard 10oz gloves.
Paul wore bigger gloves and contested shorter rounds against Tyson, given the former world champion’s age.
