Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton Suffers Infection, Forced To Withdraw From Most Valuable Prospects 8 Co-Feature

The next step in the career of Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton will have to come later.

A medical infection has forced the 18-year-old southpaw off the Sept. 6 Most Valuable Prospects 8 show. Walton (1-0-1, 1 knockout) was due to face Erik Hanley (1-1, 1 KO) in the evening’s co-feature at Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The balance of the show will move forward, including the Kevin Hayler Brown-John Bauza main event. Most Valuable Promotions is in the process of securing a new chief support for the event.

Walton hoped to return to the win column after a four-round draw on Feb. 2 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The fight was on the undercard of Amanda Serrano’s planned homecoming, which featured MVP co-founder Jake Paul (10-1, 7 KOs). His appearance on the Sept. 6 show would have been the first in the lower 48 states for Atlanta’s Walton.

That day will come towards the end of the year.

“Javon’s well-being is our top priority,” said Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul, co-founders of MVP. “While we are disappointed that he will not be able to compete at Most Valuable Prospects 8, 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.”

Walton is best known for his role as “Ashtray” in the hit HBO series Euphoria. He signed with MVP last July after he abandoned his dream to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The early star status of Walton was evident in his being the youngest-ever athlete to enjoy an endorsement deal with Nike’s Jordan brand.

Headlining the Sept. 6 show, Brown (5-0, 3 KOs) and Bauza (18-1, 8 KOs) meet in a ten-round regional 140-pound title fight.

The other bouts budgeted for the main card are:

• • Hendri Cedeno (13-0, 10 KOs) vs. Enriko Gogokhia (13-1-2, 8 KOs) in an 8-round super lightweight fight;
  • Yoelvis Gomez (7-1, 6 KOs) in an 8-round middleweight bout versus a yet to be named opponent.

Currently slotted for the preliminary undercard:

• • • Bree Howling (7-0, 2 KOs) vs. Beata Dudek (4-3, 4 KOs) in an 8-round bantamweight clash;
    • Harley Mederos (6-0, 5 KOs) vs. Nikolai Buzolin (9-9-1, 5 KOs) in a 6-round lightweight bout;
    • Antraveous Ingram (7-0, 2 KOs) vs. Cruse Stewart (8-3, 6 KOs) in a 6-round junior middleweight bout.

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