Euphoria Star Javon Walton Defeated by Henry Cejudo in Boxing Match
Actor-turned-boxer Javon “Wanna” Walton faced a setback in the ring over the weekend but delivered a commendable performance against former UFC champion Henry Cejudo.
At 20, Walton is widely recognized for his role as Ashtray on Euphoria, but he had dedicated himself to boxing long before the HBO series came along. Now holding a record of 3-1-1, Walton lost by split decision to 39-year-old Cejudo, who was making his debut in professional boxing.
The welterweight match took place on Saturday, September 26, and ended with Cejudo getting the nod 39-37 from the judges, marking his first foray into boxing as an Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling.
“It was a close fight. I acknowledged he won Round 1, but I felt I dominated the remaining rounds,” Cejudo remarked post-fight, according to ESPN. “Afterwards, I told him, ‘You’re tougher than I anticipated.’ He’s been training since he was four. He has a bright future ahead. It was on short notice, and I told him, out of respect, I’d love to do a rematch.”
Walton, who accumulated a wealth of amateur experience before going pro, spoke with Us after a draw with Joshua Torres in March 2024.
“I learned a lot from that fight,” he reflected. “That was only 20 percent of my true fighting potential. The performance didn’t meet my expectations.”
He added, “I was managing some injuries, but I won’t dwell on those. I’ve never discussed them publicly. Within the boxing arena, I’m aware of what I’m capable of and what I can demonstrate in the ring. I want to prove to everyone that there’s a reason I’m here. I’m not on this significant stage by chance.”
The super featherweight expressed that he remained unfazed by the draw against Torres, who is 35.
“I will keep demonstrating to the world why I’m here, and one day I’ll fight for a world title,” he stated confidently.
Currently signed with Jake Paul‘s Most Valuable Promotions, Walton also shared with Us that he isn’t focused on competing against well-known UFC veterans to enhance his profile.
“Personally, that’s not a priority for me,” he explained. “I want to face fighters of all backgrounds. Each fight should be a challenge. It’s essential to earn a shot at the world title by squaring off against experienced boxers with amateur and professional credentials.”
He concluded, “I want to be involved in high-level fights constantly. For me, boxing is not about making money.”
