Legendary Mexican boxer to stand trial over alleged cartel ties

Legendary boxer Julio César Chávez Jr.

will stand trial over alleged cartel ties and arms trafficking, his lawyer has said.  A Mexican court has granted a three-month extension for further investigation into the case, according to Chávez's lawyer, Rubén Fernando Benítez Alvarez. He said the claims against his client were "speculation" and "urban legends" after a court hearing on Saturday in the northern Mexican city of Hermosillo.

If convicted, Chávez - who took part in the hearing virtually from a detention facility - could face a prison sentence of four to eight years, Mr Alvarez said. Chávez, 39, who has been living in the United States for several years, was arrested in early July by federal agents outside his Los Angeles home for overstaying his visa and providing inaccurate details on an application to obtain a green card.

The arrest came just days after a fight he had with famed American boxer Jake Paul in Los Angeles. Mexican prosecutors have been investigating the boxer since 2019 after US authorities filed a complaint against the Sinaloa Cartel for organized crime, human trafficking, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking.

The case prompted investigations into 13 individuals, including Ovidio Guzmán López - the son of convicted drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán - as well as several associates, hitmen, and accomplices of the criminal organization. Guzmán López was arrested in January 2023 and extradited to the US eight months later.

Read more from Sky News:Criminals could be banned from pubs and sports grounds under new plansUK braces for more protests over the use of hotels to house asylum seekersFollowing the inquiry, the Federal Attorney General's Office issued several arrest warrants, including one against Chávez. The boxer was deported by the US on 9 August and handed over to agents of the Federal Attorney General's Office in Sonora state, who transferred him to the Federal Social Reintegration Center in Hermosillo.

The high-profile case comes amid the Trump administration's efforts to pressure Mexico into cracking down on organized crime, including cancelling visas of prominent Mexican artists and celebrities, and increasing deportations. Chávez has struggled with drug addiction throughout his career and has been arrested multiple times.

In 2012, he was found guilty of driving under the influence in Los Angeles and was sentenced to 13 days in jail. The boxer was arrested last year for weapons possession.

Police said Chávez had two rifles. He was released shortly afterward upon posting $50,000 bail (£36,000), on the condition that he attend a facility to receive treatment for his addiction..