Charles Conwell plans breakout at 154 pounds, fights vs. Vergil Ortiz Jnr, Jaron Ennis

The good news for Charles “Bad News” Conwell is that after a completely inactive 2023, this coming Saturday will mark his third fight in 2024.

Even better news for the junior middleweight contender and 2016 United States Olympian is that he’s sitting pretty in one of the sport’s deepest divisions as a potentially desirable dance partner to many of the top stars.

Conwell, 20-0 (15 KOs), will look to further build his stock when he takes on Gerardo Luis Vergara – also 20-0, with just two fewer knockouts – at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California on December 14. The fight will serve as the co-main event to the clash between Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel on DAZN.

“This is exactly what I needed to bring back my career, putting my face in front of fans multiple times a year, stay active, stay loose,” Conwell told BoxingScene. “Every time I get in the ring I’m even more comfortable, so you’ll see more out of me each time.”
Conwell signed a promotional deal with Golden Boy in February and Oscar De La Hoya’s company immediately delivered Conwell a showcase opportunity on the undercard of the Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney fight in April, which he made the most of with a sixth-round stoppage win against Nathaniel Gallimore. On the undercard of the Vergil Ortiz Jnr-Serhii Bohachuk fight in August, the Cleveland native Conwell crushed Khiary Gray inside two rounds.

The 27-year-old Conwell expects to get in the mix against the world’s top 154-pounders beginning next year.

“I think 2025 is going to be the breakout year for me to get some big fights,” said Conwell. “I know that I’m progressing and fighting better and better opposition each time out. These are all stepping stones for the big fights.

“I’m looking to dominate Vergara and show that there are levels to boxing and finish him. That’s the perfect night for me, and that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.

“If I feel that somebody doesn’t belong in the ring with me, why even make them last?”

The fight seemingly sitting in front of Conwell is a clash against Ortiz, his Golden Boy stablemate who next has a date with Israil Madrmov on February 22. 

“I expect the fight to happen,” said Conwell. “We’re both signed to Golden Boy. It’s an easy fight to make. I’m building my profile now to make the fight even bigger down the line. I’m definitely looking for a fight like that in the near future.”

Another matchup of high interest for Conwell is against Jaron Ennis once Boots begins campaigning at 154 pounds. Conwell and Ennis are incredibly familiar with one another with close to 60 rounds sparring throughout the years.

“We’ve always had real good work sparring,” said Conwell. “It was intense work with 10, four-minute rounds. I respect Jaron Ennis. He’s a good fighter. When he moves up, there is no ducking and hiding in this division. The best fight the best. I’m excited about it, whenever it happens. The Ennis fight will definitely be a big fight down the line. I can see that fight happening in the near future.” 

If Conwell gets past Vergara, a 30-year-old Argentinian southpaw who’ll be fighting in the United States for the first time, bigger and better bouts should certainly be within arm’s reach.

“I’m right there for a world title shot,” said Conwell. “I just need the last push to prove to everybody I am who I say I am.”

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, USA Today, The Guardian, Newsweek, Men’s Health, NFL.com, Los Angeles Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Magazine and more. He has been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.