Lightweight Prospect Ashton Sylve Showing Promise
Southern California is one of the hotbeds of boxing in the United States, a region full of hungry and ambitious fighters. A young man starting to create a fair amount of buzz among insiders is lightweight prospect Ashton “H2O” Sylve (10-0, 9 KOs).
THE TALENT WAS EVIDENT EARLY ON
The native of Long Beach, California began making a name for himself as a child. Sylve accumulated an impressive 110-8 record, winning ten national and two international titles as an amateur. During this stage of his development, he also sparred with pros such as former welterweight champion Shawn Porter and three-division world champion Leo Santa Cruz.
Instead of continuing to fight in the amateurs, H2O decided to pro in October 2020. Only sixteen at the time and too young to turn professional in the United States, he started his pro career in Mexico and fought his first five bouts south of the border.
Sylve’s decision to gamble on himself has paid off, so far. His natural ability is undeniable. The now 19-year-old has speed, power, and fights with an unmistakable flair.
The combinations flow with ease, much like his nickname of H2O. But despite flash and explosiveness, the Californian is technically sound and is defensively responsible.
EYE-OPENING PERFORMANCE
Sylve’s most recent outing was against William Silva on August 5 on the undercard of the Amanda Serrano vs Heather Hardy rematch. Silva was a veteran of thirty-four fights and has been in the ring against current WBO number one ranked junior welterweight Arnold Barboza and reigning WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Facing the biggest test of his young career, Sylve dominated and put on a show for the viewing audience. H2O landed with all the punches in the book. He did whatever he wanted before knocking Silva out with a beautiful left hook to the solar plexus in round four. His performance drew plenty of praise from boxing enthusiasts on social media.
Along with fellow lightweight prospects Andy Cruz and Keyshawn Davis, 135 will be a fun division to watch in the next few years. Sylve believes he has what it takes to stand apart and become a future star.
