Saturday night’s cruiserweight clash between Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was one of those events that promised much more than it delivered. Despite a packed Honda Center in Anaheim and the coveted platform of DAZN PPV, the bout failed to captivate. The crowd and paying viewers expected a thrilling, hard-fought battle, but what unfolded inside the ring was anything but. While Jake Paul secured a unanimous decision victory, the wide margins on the judges’ scorecards appeared divorced from the reality of the fight. Scores such as 99-91 and 98-92 conveyed dominance, yet the contest felt far closer, even evenly matched at times.
Chavez Jr., a seasoned veteran with a record reflecting his boxing pedigree, seemed strangely timid early on. For the first five rounds, he barely threw punches, almost inviting Paul to control the pace without resistance. By the time Chavez Jr. found a rhythm in the latter half, the deficit was too great to overcome without a knockout. This conservative approach not only dampened the fight’s intensity but also raised questions about Chavez Jr.’s motivation and conditioning at 39 years old. The judges rewarded Paul generously, perhaps influenced by the promotional narrative that cast Paul as the rising star, but the disparity between their scoring and fan perception is troubling. For a pay-per-view event with such hype, the audience was left underserved by a cautious, uneven contest.
The Peripheral Drama: Ramirez vs. Dorticos
The chief support bout carried its own brand of controversy. WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez emerged victorious against mandatory challenger Yuniel Dorticos via unanimous decision. Yet, the fight’s outcome was met with skepticism. Many observers felt Dorticos did enough to claim the win, or at least a draw, especially given his more aggressive style and moments of clear dominance during the rounds. Ramirez, however, came across as lethargic—flabby and slow, hardly the image of a unified champion at his best.
The judging scores, ranging from 117-110 to 115-112, reflected a narrow but definitive win for Ramirez, but critics quickly pointed out the lack of a commanding performance needed to justify a unification showdown against top rivals Jai Opetaia or David Benavidez. Ramirez’s post-fight comment that “He can hit” was underwhelming and did little to convince the boxing community that he’s ready to step up in class. This outcome risks further stalling a division already struggling to build consistent star power and momentum, raising questions about matchmaking and fighters’ readiness.
Emerging Star Shines Bright with Early KO
Perhaps the most exciting moment of the night came in the early lightweight undercard. Floyd Schofield, an undefeated prospect, stamped his potential by brutally knocking out former title contender Tevin Farmer in the first round. The combination of powerful right hands and relentless pursuit overwhelmed the veteran Farmer, who was dropped twice and finished quickly under an onslaught of punches. Schofield’s performance was a stark contrast to the cautious, lukewarm main event, demonstrating that boxing still produces moments of raw, unfiltered excitement that fans crave.
This explosive victory not only bolstered Schofield’s reputation but highlighted the gulf between emerging talents and aging fighters who appear physically diminished or overly cautious. It serves as a reminder that boxing thrives on risk-taking and aggression—qualities lacking in some marquee bouts but alive and well in promising newcomers.
Overall, the event underscored boxing’s ongoing struggle to balance spectacle with authentic competition. While marketing can elevate fighters like Jake Paul to headline status, the true test remains inside the ring, where definitive, action-packed performances are essential to earning fans’ respect and sustained interest.