18-year-old boxing prospect Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, who also starred in the popular TV Series ‘Euphoria,’ is finally getting his third professional bout against Oceanside, New York’s Erik Hanley. This comes after a fight between the American duo was canceled back in September. Regardless, the Atlanta native is back in the gym, pushing through intense training sessions that have left his hands bruised and battered.

The pair will engage in a four-round boxing match at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida on 13th December later this month. Walton’s second fight of 2024 will be streamed live on DAZN Boxing, as the 18-year-old and Hanley duke it out in the super featherweight bout. In his last fight against Joshua Torres of Simi Valley, California, ‘Wanna’ failed to make his mark.

After four rounds of action in March earlier this year, the bout was declared a majority decision draw, as the fight was scored 39-37, 38-38, and 38-38. Walton won his professional debut in December last year, scoring a first-round knockout against Moises Guzman Almonte of the Dominican Republic.

His lack of action in the last eight months makes his upcoming bout especially vital for his career in the sport. So, it appears the 18-year-old is giving it his all in the gym. Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, Walton’s promoter, shared a glimpse of his training while showcasing how the Euphoria star ended up with battered hands.

In a clip uploaded to Instagram, ‘Wanna’ is seen working his punching power. The video then cuts to a close-up of his hands, red and brutalized from the intense session. MPV captioned the post, “Wanna Walton’s hands after training…” It’s yet to be seen whether Walton’s training bears fruit in a few days. However, now the question is, why was Walton’s fight canceled earlier this year?

Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton was declared medically unfit for a boxing match

Ahead of his initial fight on September 6th, reports in August had revealed that Walton was declared medically unfit to compete in the scheduled boxing match due to an infection he contracted. The fight was supposed to unfold in the co-main event of the Most Valuable Prospects 8 event at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

Regardless, Most Valuable Promotions expressed their disappointment at the setback but ultimately decided to prioritize Walton’s health. “Javon’s well-being is our top priority,” they stated. “We are confident that he will make a full recovery and return to the ring stronger than ever. We appreciate the support from his family, fans, and the boxing community during this time.” 

That said, fans will finally get to see the ‘Euphoria’ star back in action after eight months of break. While Walton shows promise, only time will tell what kind of future he can carve in the sport of boxing. Would you watch the fight?