From Ring to Screen: The Unlikely Path of Boxer-Actor Javon Walton

While millions recognize 20-year-old Javon Walton as Ashtray, the tattooed teenage drug dealer in the hit HBO series Euphoria, his original passion was far from the performing arts. On Saturday, Walton headlines a Misfits Boxing card in Miami, facing former two-weight UFC champion and 2008 Olympic wrestling gold medallist Henry Cejudo. This bout stands apart from typical celebrity crossover fights because boxing has been Walton’s lifelong obsession.

Walton describes having “zero interest in acting” during his childhood. His parents were avid boxing fans who watched Saturday night bouts on HBO, and Walton eventually convinced his father to enroll him in a gym at age four. He subsequently competed in 85 amateur bouts, captured silver at the Junior Olympics twice, and entered professional boxing with an undefeated record of three wins and one draw after turning pro in December 2023. He currently competes under Most Valuable Promotions, the promotion backed by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.

The transition from the ring to Hollywood occurred almost by accident. After training in gymnastics following his sister into the sport, Walton appeared on Steve Harvey’s television show at age 11. He demonstrated his boxing combinations on pads and showcased his gymnastics skills with a backflip. Casting director Jennifer Venditti spotted the appearance and reached out to his family regarding an audition for Euphoria.

“I was like, ‘OK, why not?'” Walton recalled. That single opportunity expanded into roles in Amazon’s Utopia and Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy, as well as a part alongside Sylvester Stallone in the film Samaritan. Walton noted that acting provides an emotional outlet that boxing cannot, saying, “I found my love in that space.”

Balancing both careers presents significant challenges, with filming commitments lasting up to six months and boxing requiring intense eight-week training camps. For now, Walton is focusing entirely on the upcoming test against Cejudo. The 39-year-old former UFC champion makes his professional boxing debut in this sanctioned contest, which counts toward their professional records after the original opponent withdrew with less than two weeks’ notice.

Walton expressed confidence in his preparation, stating, “He’s stepping into unmarked territory – my field and something I’ve done my whole life.” He will be cornered by his father, DJ, who introduced him to the sport. “The way I look at it is we’re the pilot and co-pilot,” Walton said. “He’s a head coach who happens to be my dad. I want to do right by us.”