Ashton “H2O” Sylve is ready to press reset on his young career. The 21-year-old lightweight prospect from Long Beach, California, will return to the ring on Oct. 18 against former IBF world champion Richard Commey at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The fight will serve as the chief support to Danny Garcia vs. Daniel Gonzalez, promoted by Swift Promotions.
Sylve’s Road Back
Sylve (11-1, 9 KOs) has not fought since last July when he suffered a shocking sixth-round knockout loss to Lucas Bahdi, a fight he appeared to be controlling before getting caught. The setback derailed his unbeaten streak and forced a period of regrouping.
His comeback was further delayed when he withdrew from an April main event due to illness. Matters worsened with a high-profile contractual dispute and split from Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, which left him on the sidelines longer than expected.
Now, with those issues behind him, Sylve has the chance to restart his rise against his most experienced opponent yet.
The Test: Richard Commey
Commey (31-5-1, 28 KOs), 38, brings world championship pedigree and knockout power to the matchup. The Ghanaian veteran won the vacant IBF lightweight title in 2019 by stopping Isa Chaniev, then defended it successfully against Raymundo Beltran before a second-round knockout loss to Teofimo Lopez ended his reign.
Since then, Commey’s form has been mixed:
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Losses to Vasiliy Lomachenko (UD12) and Jose Ramirez (KO11)
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A split draw with Jose Pedraza
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Knockout victories over Jackson Marinez and most recently William Jackson (TKO2) in August
Despite inconsistency, Commey’s experience and punching power make him a dangerous opponent for a fighter still in development.
What’s at Stake
For Sylve, the fight is about restoring momentum, silencing critics, and proving that the Bahdi loss was only a bump in the road. For Commey, it’s an opportunity to re-establish himself as a viable name in the lightweight mix after a career of highs and lows.
With Sylve’s youth and Commey’s pedigree, this matchup offers a compelling crossroads fight: a rising prospect against a seasoned former champion.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
