Euphoria star Javon 'Wanna' Walton is set to feature in an upcoming boxing match on a fight card hosted by Jake Paul. The 17-year-old actor, known for his role as a teenage drug dealer on HBO's Euphoria, will engage in the ring this Saturday in Puerto Rico. The event will be broadcasted on DAZN, where Walton is scheduled to face 32-year-old boxer Joshua Torres.
Walton, with over five million followers on Instagram, made his professional boxing debut last December 20 in the Dominican Republic. He secured a win by first-round TKO against his opponent. Before starting his boxing career, Walton signed with Jordan Brand at 16 and later joined Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Jake Paul.
Jake Paul praised Walton as "next up" and emphasized his potential by saying, "He was the biggest unsigned prospect in boxing, and so of course we wanted him to be a part of our team." Meanwhile, Joshua Torres will enter the ring with a record of 0-1-1 to compete against Walton.
DJ Walton, Javon's father and trainer, expressed his enthusiasm about his son's passion for boxing. Despite not fighting professionally himself, DJ has cultivated Javon's interest from an early age. His commitment is echoed through the words, "When Wanna showed interest, I kind of lit up."
Despite the age barrier preventing him from participating in the 2024 Paris Games—where athletes must be at least 19—Walton remains focused on forging a successful career. With experience since age four, he opts for a professional path instead of waiting until reaching adulthood.
Choosing boxing over acting for the foreseeable future marks a significant decision for Walton. Veteran trainer Teddy Atlas supports starting young athletes early to enhance their skills effectively over time:
"Cus always told me, start them young because when they’re older and you tell them to slip a punch, they’re going to say, 'Well, if I slip the punch I could get hit with that.' " Atlas said. "And that hinders their growth. When you start young, they’re not hindered by that thinking."
Jake Paul strategically aims to leverage Walton's sizable social media presence into lucrative pay-per-view buys for their promotions company. Highlighting Walton's appeal beyond sports enthusiasts underscores comprehensive business acumen within the evolving landscape of modern sports entertainment.
Javon Walton Boxing Record and Stats
- Nationality: USA
- Stance: Southpaw
- Height: 173 cm
- Total Fights: 1
- Record: 1 / 0 / 0
Javon Walton, known as "Wanna," boasts a record of 1 win, all by knockout, since his debut in December 2023. His impressive knockout ability sets a challenging pace for Torres, considering Walton's power and southpaw stance.
