The good news for Charles “Bad News” Conwell is that he’s staying busy.
The not-so-good news is that he’s not landing the title shots he’s long been seeking.
Conwell (21-0, 16 KOs) will fight for the fourth time in a year on Saturday when he co-headlines a Golden Boy Promotions card on DAZN against Jorge Garcia Perez (32-4, 26 KOs) at the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.
“My 2024 campaign was about getting better each and every time and staying consistent,” Conwell told The Ring in an interview. “I was lacking in consistency before and staying active. There are big fights on the horizon and big fights to be made, but we can’t get to the big fights unless I am in the ring and staying active.”
The 2016 United States Olympian Conwell’s career was derailed with inactivity for a 15-month stretch from 2022 to 2024 as he dealt with promotional and managerial issues. But the 27-year-old native got back on track by signing with Golden Boy and inking a managerial deal with Mark Habibi of Wise Owl Boxing. Knockouts against Nathaniel Gallimore last April, Khiary Gray in August, and Gerardo Luis Vergara in December have followed with finishes averaging five rounds.
Conwell likely has to work the sanctioning body ladders to get a crack at any of the junior middleweight crowns currently held by WBC and WBO champion Sebastian Fundora and IBF belt holder Bakhram Murtazaliev. Conwell is ranked No. 9 by The Ring at 154 pounds and rated No. 2 by the WBO, No. 3 by the WBC, and No. 14 by the IBF.
“I know if I keep putting on great performances, it doesn't matter where I am ranked,” said Conwell. “If the fans want the fights, it’s going to happen. I’m looking forward to showing the world how great I am and that I am the best in the 154-pound division. I am looking forward to any of the big names after this fight.”
The most significant non-title fight that could be possible for Conwell is a clash against promotional teammate Vergil Ortiz Jr.
“There haven’t been any discussions about me fighting Vergil this year,” said Conwell. “I think he’s taking some time off. I don’t know what his plans are for the rest of the year. But I am looking to stay in the ring, get better, and stay active. I would love a Vergil Ortiz fight but I am not going to wait around for it all year. There are a lot of great guys in the division. I just want to fight better competition on bigger cards.”
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X/Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.