Henry Cejudo made an impressive entrance into professional boxing with a split decision win against Javon "Wanna" Walton at the Misfits Boxing event held on September 26, 2026, in Miami. Competing in a welterweight bout at 147 pounds, the 39-year-old Cejudo secured scores of 39-37, 37-39, and 39-37 over four rounds. Walton, who stepped in as a last-minute replacement after Deen The Great withdrew due to injury, is a 20-year-old actor-turned-boxer known for his undefeated amateur record and experience in lighter weight classes.

Despite Walton’s extensive boxing background and youth, Cejudo’s strategic approach, marked by well-timed feints and precise timing, proved crucial in outmaneuvering his opponent. Walton typically fights at much lighter weights, weighing as little as 125 pounds in late 2023, which made the jump to welterweight a significant challenge. Cejudo’s tactical savvy, revealed primarily from the second round onwards, allowed him to dominate key moments and secure his first pro boxing victory, pushing his record to 1-0.

Walton, who is also recognized for his role on the TV series Euphoria, displayed resilience and skill in the ring despite balancing a career in acting and modeling along with boxing. His previous professional record stood at 3-0-1 before the fight but was marked with a knockout win as well. While Walton showed promise, Cejudo’s veteran savvy underscored the difference in the bout, suggesting Cejudo’s potential if he had pursued boxing earlier in life instead of a career in mixed martial arts.

The event was part of the Misfits Boxing promotion and was streamed on DAZN. Besides Cejudo’s win, the fight card featured notable bouts including Tony Ferguson retaining the Misfits middleweight title via a second-round TKO. Cejudo’s performance opened discussions about his future in boxing and raised expectations for his development in the sport beyond his celebrated past in MMA.