Home/Boxing

Sports brands frequently seek athletes for marketing and product endorsements. Successful athletes from all over the world have made some sizable agreements with brands like Nike and Puma, which even accounts for certain deals that are worth close to $1 billion. Recently a 16-year-old amateur boxer made history as he was added to the roster of Michael Jordan’s brand. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The young kid is Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, and he has been into around 80 amateur boxing bouts until now. However, the teenager shot to fame when he was cast in the well-known series, The Umbrella Academy, and he was even cast alongside Zendaya in Euphoria. He became a rising celebrity in the acting world as a result of the audiences’ positive reactions to his portrayals.

DIVE DEEPER: ‘He’s on So Much Sh*t’: Tom Brady & LeBron James Roped In for Jake Paul Defense

His latest agreement with Team Jordan has generated a lot of online discussions because Walton made history by being the brand’s youngest athlete. Nike is also developing a boot for him so that he may practice and compete in it.

Fans react to Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton’s deal with Jordan 

Walton is better known by his character name, ‘Ashtray’, from ‘Euphoria’. He revealed through his Instagram recently that he has inked a contract with Jordan. Even ESPN Ringside shared the news on Twitter, and fans can’t stop lauding the young kid. 

Fans are already pairing him with the likes of Terence Crawford and Jake Paul. Within a very short period, Walton has amassed a sizeable Instagram fanbase, accounting for around 5.9 million followers. Only time will tell if he becomes a popular boxer after he turns pro at the age of 18. 

‘Ashtray’ shares his take on boxing 

Javon and his father DJ Walton first gained some notoriety when they appeared on Steve Harvey’s show and the small child astounded the crowd with his hand speed. DJ is a boxing coach and the owner of Onward Athletics, a business that sells boxing gear. Fans want the young kid to appear in more television series and motion pictures, but he has been coached by his father since he was 4 and prefers to pursue a career in boxing.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

He told ESPN, “I’m not just an actor, you know, it’s not like that came first at all. Boxing’s first. I love acting, but boxing has always been my priority, and it’s something that I just love too much. And I’ll never forget about boxing. It’s what I’ll be doing for the rest of my life.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Meanwhile, what do you think about this prodigy? Let us know in the comments below.  

WATCH THIS STORY: Floyd Mayweather’s $50,000 Gift, Jake Paul & GF Julia Rose as Avatar, Canelo With Wife in Hollywood, & More: Boxing World Celebrates Halloween 2022