JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR revealed he has been offered up to £2.2million to fight Jake Paul – but will REFUSE a purse and RETIRE if he loses.
Paul most recently knocked out ex-UFC welterweight Tyron Woodley in round six of their rematch and is already searching for his next opponent.
But now the YouTube star is ready to face his first opponent with prior professional boxing experience.
As a result, former WBC middleweight world champion Chavez Jr has been in talks with advisor Lupe Valencia to make it happen.
But the Mexican – son to boxing legend Julio Cesar Sr – wants the payday to be split down the middle.
Chavez Jr, 35, told Fight News: “Jake Paul and his people contacted me regarding a fight with Paul.
“I said ‘yes,’ but then again Lupe Valencia, who is with Paul now and used to be with me a few years back, said they offered me $1-to-$3 million dollars (£744,000 – £2.2m) plus pay-per-view.
“When it’s a fight that can sell millions and can break records because he is popular and I have a name, I’m a former world champion, so I made it clear that it has to be a 50/50 split for me to take the fight.
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“Take into consideration that I have to go all the way up to 190 pounds. Jake Paul is a big guy and weight matters, so it’s a risk.
“Their people may want to see me lose and take advantage, but he doesn’t know how to box. I know I can knock him out.”
Paul, 24, was set to face Tommy Fury, 22, until the British former reality TV star pulled out with a broken rib and chest infection.
Woodley, 39 then signed as a late replacement but was knocked out in the rematch, just three months after losing on points.
He now joins YouTuber ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Askren, 37, on Paul’s KO list.
Chavez Jr was stunned in June when he was beaten by 46-year-old UFC legend Anderson Silva.
But he did return with a points win against David Zegarra, 37, in Mexico to close the year out.
Adamant he will avoid another embarrassing loss on his 61-fight record, Chavez Jr is willing to forfeit his purse if he was stunned by 5-0 Paul.
He said to TV Boxeo: “I can only talk about myself, not about other people, I am not here to criticise anyone.
“I talk by analysing boxing. I hope I can get a few million with Jake Paul. If he beats me, I’ll retire, I don’t get paid.
“I don’t want money if I don’t beat him. Retirement, not interested in his money if I do not win.”
