Boxer Chávez Jr. is sent to Mexico

Julio César Chávez Jr., whose high-profile boxing career was marred by substance abuse and other struggles and never approached the heights of his legendary father, was in Mexican custody Tuesday after being deported from the United States.

- By PATRICK J. MCDOONNELL AND JAD EL REDA

IN MEXICO, Julio César Chávez Jr. faces charges of organized crime affiliation and arms trafficking.

His expulsion had been expected since July, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him outside his Studio City home and accused him of making “fraudulent statements” on his application to become a U.S. permanent resident. In Mexico, Chavez, 39, faces charges of organized crime affiliation and arms trafficking, Mexican authorities say.

He is the son of Julio César Chavez — widely regarded as Mexico's greatest boxer—and spent his career in the shadow of his fabled father. His father both supported his troubled son and chastised his namesake, whose struggles included substance abuse, legal troubles and challenges in making weight for his bouts.

Despite his highly publicized problems, Chavez won the World Boxing Council middleweight title in 2011 before losing the belt the following year.

Chavez was turned over to Mexican law enforcement authorities at the Arizona border and was being held Tuesday in a federal lockup in Hermosillo, the capital of Sonora state, authorities here said.