For most fighters, a hometown bout is just another stop on the journey. For Ashton Sylve, it’s something he’s been waiting years to experience. The talented junior welterweight prospect returns to Long Beach, California on Friday night when he faces former IBF junior lightweight champion JoJo Diaz on a Misfits Pro card at Thunder Studios. It will be the first time many of Sylve’s friends and family have been able to watch him compete in person since 2022.
After years of fighting across the United States, Mexico, and even overseas in London, the opportunity to perform in front of his hometown crowd carries special meaning.
“It definitely feels good,” Sylve told The Ring. “My family’s been waiting. So have a lot of people that haven’t seen me in so long in four years so it’s great to be back.”
Sylve (13-1, 10 KOs) turned professional at just 16 years old, beginning his career with five consecutive fights in Tijuana, Mexico. His explosive style, athleticism, and knockout power quickly made him one of boxing’s most highly regarded young prospects.
That reputation only grew when he signed with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) in 2022 at just 18 years old. Everything appeared to be moving according to plan as Sylve steadily climbed the ranks and built momentum toward bigger opportunities.
The Night Everything Changed
That momentum came to a sudden halt in July 2024. Matched against unbeaten Canadian knockout artist Lucas Bahdi, Sylve appeared to be cruising toward victory. He dominated much of the fight and led 50-45 on all three scorecards through five rounds.
Then disaster struck. A devastating three-punch combination from Bahdi ended the fight instantly, handing Sylve the first loss of his professional career.
The setback proved to be more complicated than many realized. It was later revealed that Sylve had suffered a serious jet ski accident just weeks before the fight. The injury required stem cell treatment for his shoulder and led to a lengthy recovery period.
The challenges didn’t stop after the loss. During his recovery, Sylve was also involved in a major automobile accident that resulted in his vehicle being totaled. He eventually parted ways with MVP and faced the difficult task of rebuilding both his confidence and career. Despite the setbacks, Sylve has responded with resilience. Now just 22 years old, he has already recorded two consecutive victories since joining Misfits and believes his career is once again moving in the right direction.
Why JoJo Diaz Matters
Sylve views Friday night’s matchup as a major opportunity. A victory over Diaz (34-9-1, 15 KOs), a former world champion and veteran of numerous high-level fights, would instantly add credibility to his rebuilding process.
“That’s exactly why we chose to fight JoJo Diaz,” Sylve explained. “Just to get on that path again, just to keep climbing up the rankings, just keep on progressing in my career.”
The fight could serve as a launching pad toward bigger opportunities in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.
While Diaz may be Sylve’s most accomplished opponent to date, the two are far from strangers. Years before this fight was signed, the pair shared rounds together in sparring sessions as Sylve was developing his skills.
In fact, Diaz became the first former world champion Sylve ever sparred with. “He’s the first guy I actually sparred and now I’m fighting,” Sylve said.
Despite Diaz’s recent struggles, Sylve isn’t overlooking the former champion. Although Diaz has lost eight of his last 10 fights, his experience, toughness, and championship pedigree still make him a dangerous opponent.
Focused on the Future
Throughout his career, Sylve has sparred elite fighters including former welterweight champion Shawn Porter and multi-division titleholder Leo Santa Cruz. Those experiences helped shape his confidence and reinforced his belief that his best boxing is still ahead of him.
Now, with his hometown crowd behind him and a former world champion standing across the ring, Sylve has a chance to remind boxing fans why he was once considered one of the sport’s brightest young stars. “If I’m on my A-game,” Sylve said, “I just know when I’m in my flow that no one can stop me.”
Friday night in Long Beach could be the next chapter in a comeback story that is only beginning to take shape.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
