Troubled boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is all smiles as he’s released from an LA jail after pleading not guilty to having a ghost gun and posting $50,000 bond as the son of Mexican hero agrees to enter treatment for unspecified issue

Troubled boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was all smiles as he was released from a Los Angeles jail on $50,000 bail, four days after the 37-year-old former middleweight champion was arrested for allegedly being in unlawful possession of two AR-style ghost rifles.

“I’m fine,” he told photographers in Spanish as he left the Valley Jail Section in Van Nuys Thursday evening wearing a multicolored fleece. “I’m good and ready for what’s to come.”

Chavez has pleaded not guilty to three gun charges while agreeing to participate in a residential treatment program in LA. TMZ was the first to report the arrest, explaining that police found a “ghost gun” without any serial number in his possession.

“We have posted bail and Mr. Chavez will be released at some point today and will spend some time in a program to resolve some personal issues,” said lawyer Guadalupe Valencia. told the LA Times before his release. “In the meantime, Julio remains in good spirits and his family appreciates the support and encouragement.”

Police were called Sunday afternoon by an unknown person claiming Chavez was in possession of a gun and the witness was concerned the boxer might hurt himself or others.

Troubled boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was all smiles when he was released from a Los Angeles jail on $50,000 bail four days after his arrest for allegedly possessing an untraceable ghost gun

Chavez, 37, has not fought professionally since 2021 and has disappeared from public life

Chavez has no prior firearms history, according to the LA Times.

However, he was arrested for driving under the influence in 2012 and has been suspended several times over the course of his career for using controlled substances, including a diuretic and marijuana.

Telemundo reports that Chavez’s wife Frida Munoz tried to expedite divorce proceedings this week while he was detained. The couple previously split in 2021 before reportedly reuniting and then starting the divorce process again in 2023.

Possibly referring to those divorce proceedings, Chavez told photographers on Thursday that “everything happens for a reason.”

It’s unclear what personal issues Chavez is dealing with, but Valencia mentioned it ESPN that he hopes his client will receive professional help.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and his father (right) are seen after his victory over Sebastian Zbik in 2011

“We as his legal team, as well as his father and other family members, care deeply about him,” Valencia said. ‘We, including the court, want him to get professional help. Julio is a wonderful person and this is his time to work on himself so he can rejoin his children in the next chapter of his life.

‘We appreciate the support he has received and we will continue to keep the press informed. We have just received the reports that are part of the investigation that led to his arrest. We will review the information shortly.”

Chavez (53-6-1, 34 KOs) hasn’t fought since 2021 and has just three wins in his last seven fights. He was also upset by UFC legend Anderson Silva in June 2021, giving a strong indication that the younger Chavez was no longer a top competitor in the ring.

His father is perhaps the biggest name in Mexico’s proud boxing tradition. He went 107-6-2 between 1980 and 2005 and famously won his first 87 pro fights.