Javon Walton has been performing under the spotlight for most of his life. Sometimes in front of a camera, other times facing opponents in the ring. To millions, the 20-year-old is widely recognized as Ashtray, the tattooed teenage drug dealer from HBO’s popular drama Euphoria.
However, this Saturday, the American boxer will be the main event at a Misfits Boxing show in Miami, where he faces off against Henry Cejudo, a former two-weight UFC champion and Olympic wrestling gold medalist. While it might seem like another celebrity dabbling in boxing amid the recent surge of influencer fights and crossover bouts, boxing was actually Walton’s first passion.
“My parents were boxing fans, and when it aired on HBO on Saturdays, I’d watch with them,” Walton told BBC Sport. “I begged my dad to take me to a gym, and finally, he did when I was four.”
Since then, Walton has fought in 85 amateur matches, earned two silver medals at the Junior Olympics, and remains undefeated as a professional with three wins and a draw. He is signed to Most Valuable Promotions, led by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.
How Boxing Led to Acting
Although Walton competed seriously in gymnastics after following in his sister’s footsteps, boxing remained his true love. Ironically, his boxing skills paved the way for an unexpected career in acting.
At 11, he appeared on Steve Harvey’s show, demonstrating boxing combinations and gymnastics tricks like a backflip. Casting director Jennifer Venditti spotted his talent and invited him to audition for Euphoria.
“I thought, ‘Why not?’” Walton recalls. “That led to more opportunities.”
What began by chance blossomed into a thriving acting career. Walton later appeared in Amazon’s Utopia, Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, and starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in Samaritan.
“I found a real passion in acting,” he explains. “It’s an outlet to express emotions, which boxing doesn’t really allow.”
The Cejudo Challenge and Balancing Two Careers
The bigger challenge now is managing both boxing and acting. Walton notes that filming commitments can take up to six months, while preparing for a fight requires an intense eight-week training camp and full focus.
“My goal is to see how well I can juggle both, but that’s easier said than done,” he says. “I have to choose one to prioritize.”
For now, his attention is on Henry Cejudo. The 39-year-old Olympic wrestling gold medalist and two-division UFC champ will make his professional boxing debut on Saturday. Walton accepted the fight on less than two weeks’ notice after Cejudo’s original opponent withdrew. The bout is sanctioned by the Florida State Commission and will count on both fighters’ pro records.
“You have to respect him,” Walton comments. “But he’s stepping into my world—something I’ve dedicated my life to. On the wrestling mat, it’d be different, but this is the boxing ring.”
Walton’s father and trainer, DJ, who first took him to the gym at age four, will corner him for the fight.
“What’s beautiful is how we grew together,” Walton says. “While I was learning to be a fighter, he was learning to coach. We’re like pilot and co-pilot. He’s my head coach and dad—I want to make us both proud.”
Fan Take: This matchup is significant for fight fans as it blends the worlds of boxing and MMA, with a rising young star defending his turf against a celebrated champion transitioning to a new sport. Walton’s journey from boxing prodigy to actor and back to professional fighter could inspire a new generation of multi-dimensional athletes, injecting fresh energy into boxing’s evolving landscape.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
