A Hollywood actor and a professional boxer, Javon “Wanna” Walton (1-0, 1 KO) is Jake Paul’s latest prodigy, and he fights Saturday, March 2, against Joshua Torres (0-1-1) in a four-round prelim bout.
Walton’s second pro outing is billed as his ‘global debut’. While it’s unclear what that entirely means, his first fight saw him in the ring for only two minutes and 18 seconds. The bout was stopped via technical stoppage.
Walton is the star of HBO’s hit show Euphoria. He played the character ‘Ashtray’, a drug dealer, and he also was a part of the acclaimed show The Umbrella Academy on Netflix. Walton has a flourishing acting career ahead of him, but his decision to box is solely his.
“This is what he was made for, he is built for this,” said Walton’s promoter, Jake Paul who fights in the co-main event in Puerto Rico on Saturday. “It is in his DNA working in front of crowds, and being an actor gives you that skill to be in the moment, work in front of people. Oddly enough, it can prepare you for moments like that – so he has got it.”
Walton has an amateur pedigree. He also has a high-profile sponsorship with the Jordan brand getting behind him. His introduction to Most Valuable Promotions was a lavish video, with him taking a helicopter to the gym, and Amanda Serrano and Jake Paul training beside him. That was released in July, and his pro debut was off-television in the Dominican Republic on December 20.
This bout will serve as an introduction to Walton for most hardcore boxing enthusiasts.
“I wanted to go somewhere that felt like home right out of the gate,” said Walton. “It is hard to find a good team. People you vibe with. I feel like MVP has the full package as far as marketing, they have some top level [prospects], Hall of Famer Amanda Serrano… I just feel they have the whole package.
“I want to do me, and I am going to go at my own pace at this sport, but the goal for me is a big world championship [to my] name in the future.”
The 17-year-old Walton will face the 32-year-old Torres from Simi Valley, California. Torres is winless, fighting only in his hometown and averaging one fight per year. Walton reflected on how his debut on DAZN tonight will feel.
“That moment looks super calm for me,” he said.