An Olympic Champion, an Actor and a Late Swap: Inside Henry Cejudo's Boxing Debut

Henry Cejudo's first professional boxing match was supposed to be against an influencer. It ended up being against a TV actor.

The former two-division UFC champion was scheduled to headline a Misfits Boxing card on Saturday at James L. Knight Arena in Miami. His original opponent, Nurideen Shabazz, known as Dean the Great, pulled out injured. Cejudo said he always knew Shabazz would back out and that his new opponent would be playing another robot by the end.

That opponent is Javon "Wanna" Walton, 20, best known as Ashtray on HBO's Euphoria. Walton boxed as an amateur, turned pro in 2023 and is 3-0-1 with one knockout. He said he knows he's facing an Olympic gold medalist and former UFC champion, and that boxing is his world.

Walton is signed to Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, where he's 2-0. MVP had nothing to do with this card but let him take the fight. Co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said Misfits offered a significant financial guarantee for the short-notice bout, and that it was a big chance for Walton to beat a UFC great.