Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till will be the latest to make the jump from mixed martial arts to boxing when he steps into the ring in his professional boxing debut against former WBC middleweight world champion Julio Cesar. Chavez Jr. is on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike. Tyson on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The fight is scheduled to last six rounds and will be contested at cruiserweight with a weight limit of 190 pounds.
Till, 31, makes his professional boxing debut after a successful UFC run as a welterweight and middleweight with an overall MMA record of 18-5-1.
The Liverpool FC product challenged Tyron Woodley for the UFC welterweight title in 2018 but lost in the second round. After starting his MMA career 17-0-1, Till went 1-5 over his next six fights with losses to Jorge Masvidal, Robert Whittaker and current UFC middleweight champion Dracus Du Plessis. A loss to du Plessis in December 2022 was the last time Till fought in the octagon.
There were rumors of Till heading to the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships to challenge Mike Perry, but the Englishman has shelved the idea of venturing into bare-knuckle fighting, despite receiving offers from the federation.
“I am very happy with my opponent,” Thiel said in a statement. “I’ve been a fan of his father for many years and I was a fan of Chavez Jr as well – he’s a great fighter that I respect, but make no mistake about it, I’m coming to take him down.” “Round 1, I’m happy with where I am in life, and I’m coming to make a statement on July 20 in Texas.”
Till’s boxing debut will come against an opponent whose last name carries a lot of weight in the sport.
Chavez – the son of legendary Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Sr – had a difficult time stepping out of his father’s formidable shadow despite becoming the first Mexican fighter to win middleweight gold when he won the WBC middleweight title in 2011. He successfully defended He lost the championship three times before losing it unanimously to Sergio Martinez.
Since the first loss of his professional career, Chavez (53-6-1, 34 KO) has struggled to live up to his family name, suffering one-sided losses to the likes of Andre Fonfara, Canelo Alvarez, and Daniel Jacobs while his dedication to the sport has come into question. Routinely.
This wouldn’t be the first mixed martial arts fighter the 38-year-old Chavez has faced. In 2021, the Mexican fighter dropped a split decision to UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva. He last fought in December 2021 when he scored a unanimous decision against unheralded opponent David Zegarra.
“I’m excited to get back in the ring after a break, and I’m excited and eager to re-establish myself as one of the greats,” Chavez said. “I was the first Mexican middleweight champion in Mexican history and I want to prove that I can become champion again. Being back in the ring at this historic event is an honor. On Saturday, July 20, I will win by KO and continue my journey.”
The Paul-Tyson card also announced a lightweight fight between two popular prospects.
Ashton “H2O” Selvey (11-0, 9 KOs) and Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield (17-0, 12 KOs) will face off in a 10-round fight as both 135-pound fighters look to climb the ladder in a division loaded with talented fighters .
Self, 20, has been routinely pushed to be the next big star out of Paul’s most valuable promotions. The 2022 ESPN Ringside Champion returns to action following her unanimous decision win over Brazilian Estevan Falcao in February. Self has looked excellent during his short stint as a pro, but Schofield represents a huge step up in competition.
Schofield, 21, made his professional debut in 2020 and reeled off 16 straight wins over the next three years. In his last outing, he was placed in the featured spot on the undercard of the Golden Boy Promotions showdown between William Zepeda and Maxi Hughes. What was supposed to be Schofield’s coming out party was muted by his opponent Esteuri Suero, who was disqualified for a variety of fouls throughout the fight.
The showdown between Self and Scofield may be a bit surprising considering they meet so early in their careers. But both fighters know that a win on July 20 will push them up the lightweight ladder with hopes of a title shot in the near future.
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