Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till is to make his professional boxing debut this summer, it has been confirmed.

Till, who last competed in the UFC in December 2022 in a defeat to current middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in what was the fifth defeat in his last six outings in the cage, will fight former boxing world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on the undercard of the Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul bout in Arlington, Texas on July 20.

The fight will take place across six rounds at a catchweight of 190-pounds.

“I’m very happy with my opponent,” Till said in a media release. “He is a great fighter who I respect, but make no mistake about it, I am coming to knock him out in the first round.”

He added: “I am happy with where I am in life, and I am coming to make a statement on July 20th in Texas.”

Chavez Jr., who held the WBC middleweight title between 2011 and 2012, last competed in the ring in December 2021 where he defeated journeyman David Zegarra — a bout which came six months after he was defeated by split decision by former UFC world champion Anderson Silva.

The boxer, who is the son of the iconic Julio Cesar Chavez, has compiled a pro record of 53-6-1 (1) in a pro career which began back in September 2003.

Speaking ahead of the fight, Chavez Jr. said that he is “motivated and eager to re-establish myself as one of the greats.”

The confirmation of the fight follows reports that Till had turned down an offer from Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) to face his rival (and undefeated bare knuckle boxer) Mike Perry.

The fight is the latest bout to be added to the July 20 card to take place at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, AT&T Stadium, which is to be streamed live on Netflix.

Also on the card is Katie Taylor’s hotly-anticipated rematch with Amanda Serrano, in a sequel to their historic April 2022 clash won the by Irish boxer in Madison Square Garden.