Henry “Triple C” Cejudo entered the James L. Knight Center in Miami on September 26 with an Olympic gold medal, two UFC championships and years of elite combat-sports experience behind him.
But none of that guaranteed success in a professional boxing ring.
Facing 20-year-old Javon “Wanna” Walton on short notice, Cejudo had to prove that his wrestling and MMA experience could translate into a completely different sport.
After four competitive rounds, he did just enough.
Cejudo defeated Walton by split decision, 39-37, 37-39 and 39-37, officially beginning his professional boxing career with a victory.
Walton Comes Out Fast
Walton entered the fight with an undefeated professional boxing record and immediately showed why Cejudo couldn’t afford to underestimate him.
The younger Walton used his speed, reach and movement to keep Cejudo from comfortably establishing his rhythm. Rather than standing directly in front of the former UFC champion, Walton moved in and out and forced Cejudo to adjust.
For a fighter making his professional boxing debut, Cejudo initially looked understandably cautious.
There were no takedowns to threaten.
No kicks.
No clinch-heavy MMA exchanges.
This was boxing, and Cejudo had to win with his hands.
Cejudo Finds His Rhythm
As the fight progressed, Cejudo began making adjustments.
The Olympic gold medalist started using his footwork more effectively, bouncing in and out of range and timing Walton’s attacks. He also began landing cleaner counter punches as Walton committed forward.
That adjustment ultimately became the difference.
Cejudo didn’t dominate the fight, but he gradually made the contest more competitive and appeared to take control of the later stages.
Two judges gave him three rounds to one, while the third judge scored the fight three rounds to one for Walton.
That scorecard split tells the story of just how close the fight was.
Four Rounds Wasn’t Much Time
One of the unusual elements of the matchup was its four-round distance.
Cejudo later explained that he originally wanted six rounds and 10-ounce gloves, but ultimately accepted the four-round format and eight-ounce gloves after discussions with the Florida Athletic Commission.
That matters because Cejudo appeared to be getting stronger as the fight went along.
A longer fight might have given him additional opportunities to impose his experience and conditioning, but that remains hypothetical. The fight was four rounds, and the judges ultimately gave Cejudo the victory.
A Successful Debut — With Room to Improve
Calling the performance dominant would be inaccurate.
Cejudo won, but Walton made him work for it.
The fight demonstrated that Cejudo has enough speed, athleticism and timing to compete in a boxing environment, but it also exposed the obvious limitations that come with entering a new discipline at this stage of his career.
The biggest positive was his ability to adjust.
Cejudo recognized that Walton’s speed was causing problems and changed his approach instead of simply trying to overwhelm his opponent.
That kind of adaptability has been one of the defining characteristics of Cejudo’s combat-sports career.
Walton Deserves Credit
Walton’s performance shouldn’t get lost because he didn’t get the decision.
He entered the fight on short notice after Cejudo’s originally scheduled opponent, Deen the Great, withdrew. Walton brought an undefeated professional record into the matchup and looked comfortable enough to make Cejudo fight for every round.
The loss was narrow, and the split decision reflects how competitive the bout was.
Walton showed that he belonged in the main-event spotlight.
Tony Ferguson Provides Another Big Moment
The co-main event delivered its own dramatic sequence.
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson successfully defended his Misfits middleweight championship against Mahmoud Sebie.
Ferguson survived an early knockdown before responding with a barrage of punches that forced a referee stoppage at 42 seconds of Round 2.
It was another memorable moment on a card built around former UFC stars attempting to reinvent themselves in boxing.
What’s Next for Cejudo?
Immediately after the fight, Cejudo made it clear that he still has unfinished business with Deen the Great, the fighter he was originally scheduled to face.
Cejudo also acknowledged that he would be willing to fight Walton again, particularly if Walton received a full training camp.
For now, though, Cejudo has accomplished the most important objective: he made his professional boxing debut and walked away with a victory.
The performance wasn’t flawless, but it was competitive, entertaining and—most importantly for Cejudo—successful.
Final Review
Cejudo vs. Walton was an intriguing experiment that delivered a much closer fight than many expected.
Cejudo’s experience in elite wrestling and MMA gave him the composure to make adjustments, while Walton’s youth, speed and boxing experience created problems throughout the four rounds.
The split decision was an appropriate reflection of a competitive contest, even though the judges disagreed sharply on who won.
For Cejudo, the night was about proving that “Triple C” can add another chapter to an already remarkable combat-sports career.
For Walton, it was an opportunity to show that he belongs on a major boxing stage—and he took advantage of it.
WDEP Radio Rating: 8/10
Fight of the Night: Henry Cejudo vs. Javon Walton
Biggest Surprise: Walton’s ability to make Cejudo work for the decision
Best Adjustment: Cejudo’s mid-fight use of movement and counter punching
Standout Performance: Henry Cejudo
Best Moment: The final decision announcement
Final Result: Henry Cejudo def. Javon “Wanna” Walton by split decision
Location: James L. Knight Center, Miami, Florida
Date: September 26, 2026
