Angel Julian Sacco vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Preview Jan 24th, 2026
Former WBC Middleweight boss Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. of Mexico returns to the ring in his homeland this weekend as he takes on Angel Julian Sacco of Argentina. The 10-round cruiserweight battle from San Luis Potosi, Mexico can be seen live in that nation on TV Azteca. Chavez last stepped into the ring in June when he dropped a wide 10-round unanimous decision to Jake Paul. Sacco hasn’t fought since October, 2023 when he beat Sergio Mauricio Carabajal via a four-round unanimous decision.
Sacco vs Chavez Jr. Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Angel Julian Sacco +400
- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. -600
My Pick
There isn’t much information available for Sacco such as his age, reach and height but he’s reportedly in his late 30’s when it comes to his age. We do know that he carries around a pro record of 10-1-1 with 4 Ko’s and has been out of the ring for about two-and-a-half years. As far as power is concerned, Sacco is below average as 40 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he last halted an opponent four fights ago when he knocked out Maximiliano Leonel Silva in the third round in September, 2022.
Sacco made his pro debut in February, 2019 and has 54 rounds of experience under his belt. His career got off to a rocky start as he battled to a four-round draw with Bruno Venialgo Arguello in his first pro contest and was then stopped in the third round by Nestor David Campos in his second outing just two months later. He didn’t fight again for 28 months and has now won 10 straight fights since returning to the ring. However he has fought limited opposition as just three of his 12 opponents entered the ring with a winning record.
Cesar Chavez Jr is now 39 years old and has fought just four times since 2021. Of course, he lost to Jake Paul the last time out but beat Uriah Hall by six-round unanimous decision in his previous outing in July, 2024. That was his first fight since December, 2021 when he topped David Zegarra by 10-round unanimous decision and six months prior to that he dropped an eight-round split decision to Anderson Silva. In November, 2020 Chavez stopped Jeyson Minda in four rounds and two months earlier he dropped a six-round technical decision to Mario Abel Cazares after an accidental headbutt caused the fight to be stopped.
In August, 2019 Chavez returned after a 26-month layoff and blasted Evert Bravo out in less than 90 seconds in a light heavyweight tilt. His previous bout was a unanimous decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez in 2017 in a fight he was dominated in. He then quit in the corner against Daniel Jacobs in December, 2019 after coming back against Bravo. After all is said and done, Chavez makes the ring walk with a record of 54-7-1 with 34 Ko’s.
Chavez was banned for nine months and fined $900,000 in 2013 for testing positive for an illegal substance. His other losses were a unanimous decision to Sergio Martinez in September, 2012 to lose his WBC Middleweight Title, which he had won via a majority decision over Sebastian Zbik in June, 2011, and a ninth-round stoppage at the hands of Andrzej Fonfara in April, 2015. However, Chavez had Martinez down and in deep trouble in the last round in their title fight before the bell arguably saved Martinez. Against Fonfara though, Chavez suffered a bit of a beating. Size-wise, Chavez stands 6-feet-1 tall with a 73-inch.
He possesses decent power in his fists as 63 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage with his last one coming in November, 2020. Chavez used to be a powerful boxer with a pretty solid chin and was hard to keep at bay when letting his hands go. Most of his knockouts came due to an accumulation of blows rather than just once punch. He likes to apply pressure to the body and head and keep moving forward until he eventually breaks his opponent down. He’s boxed 354 rounds since his pro debut in 2003 so has plenty of experience with his biggest wins being over Brian Vera (twice), Marco Reyes, Andy Lee, Marco Antonio Rubio, Peter Manfredo Jr. and John Duddy. He also fought to a six-round draw with Carlos Molina in 2005.
Prediction…
Chavez Jr. has loads of experience and is a former world champion who successfully defended his title three times and also won a few minor belts. However he’s known for his lack of training and discipline and stamina are sometimes a problem for him. He did turn up the heat against Jake Paul in the latter half of their fight last year though. In addition, he has had problems with addiction and was recently deported from the USA for alleged links to organized crime in his homeland. Still, Chavez has plenty of ring IQ and experience while Sacco will be taking a gigantic leap in class and will be fighting as a cruiserweight (200 lbs) for the first time after a career at light heavyweight (175 lbs). As long as Chavez is more interested in winning than just collecting another paycheque and is taking this fight seriously then he should come out on top.
Chavez has the skills and experience.
Play Chavez Jr. -600
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Angel Julian Sacco betting • Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. betting