Former UFC Flyweight and Bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo is retired from his MMA career, but his boxing career is about to get underway with an unlikely opponent.
Originally scheduled to fight Nurideen Shabazz before an injury forced Shabazz to pull out, Cejudo will instead face actor Javon Walton, who launched a professional boxing career in 2023.
Walton, nicknamed “Wanna,” is best known for his role on HBO’s “Euphoria,” but he’s had some early success as a boxer with wins in three of his four professional fights.
Here’s more to know about Cejudo’s fight with the “Euphoria” actor.
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Why is Henry Cejudo fighting Javon Walton?
Cejudo has boxed as an amateur, but he was set to make his professional boxing debut against Nurideen “Dean the Great” Shabazz on Sept. 26. With an injury forcing Shabazz out, Walton agreed to become Cejudo’s opponent.
In a release, Cejudo dismissed Walton as a serious opponent. “I have a new opponent now, who thinks he’s a fighter, but Wanna will be playing another robot by the time I’m done with him.”
HENRY CEJUDO 🆚 WANNA WALTON – MISFITS, MIAMI, SEPTEMBER 26 🌴🥊
Olympic Gold Medalist and former two-division UFC Champion Henry Cejudo takes on 3-0-1 pro boxer and Superstar Euphoria actor Javon “Wanna” Walton, one of MVP’s brightest young prospects.
🎟️ Tickets on sale now -… pic.twitter.com/BDwUXmhiOa
— Misfits Boxing (@MisfitsBoxing) September 15, 2026
Walton, who is 19 years younger than Cejudo, took a more gracious approach before the Sept. 26 bout.
“Henry Cejudo is an Olympic gold medalist and a former UFC champion, so I know exactly the level of athlete I’m stepping in there with,” Walton said in a statement. “This fight came up out of nowhere and I stepped up without hesitation. I stay ready for moments like this. This is boxing, and this is my world.”
The fight is set to take place at James L. Knight Arena in Miami as the main event for Misfits Boxing on Sept. 26.
Here’s more to know about Walton and his acting career.
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Who is Javon Walton?
Walton, just 20 years old, broke through with a role on HBO’s “Euphoria” in 2019. He took on a main role in the second season.
Walton has also appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s “Utopia” as part of the main cast, and he appeared in Sylvester Stallone’s 2022 film “Samaritan.”
While Walton’s acting appearances have tapered off as his boxing career has taken off, he is part of the cast of 2027 film “Gundam,” which stars Sydney Sweeney.
In the ring, Walton turned professional in 2023 and is 3-0-1. The Georgia-born boxer last fought professionally when he defeated Anthony Mora in September of 2025, but Cejudo will be easily his most notable opponent yet.
Who did Javon Walton play in ‘Euphoria?’
Walton played Ashtray, the unofficial “little brother” of main cast member Fezco. As Ashtray, Walton portrays a young drug dealer and is part of the main cast in the second season after appearing as a recurring character in the first.
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