LAS VEGAS — Charles Conwell was not only one of the key fighters on Saturday’s show featuring Vergil Ortiz vs. Serhii Bohachuk. He was also a highly interested observer.
That’s because Conwell is a junior middleweight contender who wants the other big names — anyone who would provide the 26-year-old from Cleveland with an opportunity to prove himself.
So after Conwell knocked out Khiary Gray with a second-round body shot to move to 20-0 (15 KOs), he watched the main event, in which Ortiz took a majority decision over Bohachuk. And then Conwell had a chance to speak to the media about what he saw and how he fits in.
“I believe I’m the next world champion in this division. I think I’m him in the division,” Conwell said at a post-fight press conference at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. “For me to prove that, if I got to go through these guys, Vergil, Bohachuk, whoever it is, any other contender, I’m willing to do it. I’ve seen the fight tonight and I see a world title in my hands. I think those guys are good fighters, but I just think I’m levels above them.”
Ortiz and Bohachuk provided the war that many expected. Ortiz got the nod on two judges’ scorecards, 114-112, while the third judge had it even at 113-113.
“I thought it was an action-packed fight. I thought it was either a draw or I thought Bohachuk won,” Conwell said. “I thought it was a good fight. I thought both fighters fought hard. I just think I’m better than both of those guys, I think I can go in there and take the belts.”
This was Conwell’s second fight with Golden Boy Promotions since signing with the company earlier this year. In April, he scored a sixth-round technical knockout of Nathaniel Gallimore.
Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy praised Conwell shortly after the Gray fight.
“Charles Conwell was incredible,” De La Hoya said “He’s now ready for a world title, and we’re going after it.”
At the post-fight press conference, Conwell touched on the potential that is ahead of him.
“I can’t wait to see what Golden Boy has planned for me in the future,” he said. “I’m excited. I know they’ll do the right thing by me.”
Follow David Greisman on Twitter @FightingWords2. His book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
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