Ex-UFC champ Cejudo set to box 'Euphoria' actor — SkimNews
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- Henry Cejudo will headline Misfits Boxing on Sept. 26 at James L. Knight Arena in Miami, making his professional boxing debut against Javon "Wanna" Walton after original opponent Nurideen Shabazz (Dean the Great) withdrew with an injury
- Javon "Wanna" Walton, best known for playing Ashtray on HBO's "Euphoria," takes the fight on short notice with a 3-0-1 (1 KO) professional record after turning pro in 2023 at age 20
- Cejudo said in a statement released to ESPN that he "knew all along" Shabazz would back out, calling Walton's acting career a preview: "Wanna will be playing another robot by the time I'm done with him"
- Most Valuable Promotions (Jake Paul's promotion) signed off on Walton's participation despite not promoting the event, with co-founder Nakisa Bidarian saying Misfits offered a "significant financial guarantee" for the short-notice replacement
- Walton is 2-0 in MVP appearances (December 2024 and September 2025) and framed the bout as his natural domain: "This is boxing, and this is my world"
Why it matters: The matchup highlights Misfits Boxing's entertainment-first model: a former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist making his pro debut against a 20-year-old with a 3-0-1 record. MVP received a "significant financial guarantee" from Misfits to release Walton for the short-notice main event, illustrating how influencer-era boxing promotions now monetize crossover talent across promotional companies.
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