As you look at the landscape at junior middleweight, Sebastian Fundora is a unified champion (WBO/WBC), while the IBF belt-holder is Bakhram Murtazaliev. Terence Crawford is still technically the WBA champion but he will soon be moving up to face super middleweight king, Saul Alvarez.
Also at 154 are stalwarts like Vergil Ortiz and Serhii Bohachuk, and rounded out by contenders such as Xander Zayas, Jesus Ramos. There is still Tim Tszyu (who had a rough 2024) who is still a factor given his ability to draw 'Down Under'.
Then you have Charles Conwell, who faces Jorge Garcia Perez, this Saturday night from the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California. He is the division's dark horse. 'Bad News' is soft spoken but hard hitting.
Golden Boy Promotions
Currently, he is ranked ninth by Ring Magazine. To these eyes, that seems a tad low. Not surprisingly, Conwell doesn't disagree.
"To be serious with it, I don't really even know who is all in the rankings right now, to be honest. But like you said, I think I deserve to be higher," Conwell told SNAC.com. "I'll just keep proving myself and keep knocking these guys down and getting them out there, keep proving that I'm the best in the division."
Currently, Conwell is ranked as high as number two by the WBO (while his foe this weekend, Garcia, is ranked third) and fifth in the WBC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHC3-Xv5aNk
There are really no big names on Conwell's ledger, but the 27 year old native of Cleveland, Ohio, is a steadily improving boxer who has scored five emphatic stoppages in his last six outings. Sometimes it's not just if you win, but how you do so that is telling. He just looks like a guy ready for bigger and better things.
"I see a lot of people getting title shots and big fights, and I think I'm more deserving or better than these guys. So yeah, I'm anticipating a title shot soon," stated Conwell, who makes it clear that he will not discriminate, anyone with a title belt will do.
Golden Boy Promotions
But the reality is that he can only do so much. A fighter like Conwell will most likely have to be in a mandatory position to get a title opportunity. Nobody will voluntarily put their title up against him. Bottom line, he's a bit too much risk, for way too little reward. And sanctioning bodies have a way of being very...shall we say, selective, in calling for mandatory bouts.
Conwell admits, "It's definitely frustrating sometimes, it's out of my hands. I can only do so much but just perform in the ring and hope that the fighters give me an opportunity for a world title. There's a lot of politics in the game, different things that hold you back. But as long as I keep performing and put on great performances, I'll get a title shot."
THE BUNDLE
It will be a big boxing weekend to kick off May when you have three cards taking place from May 2-4. The card on that Friday will be the one that takes place in Times Square, New York, that has the likes of Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney in separate bouts. Then the following day you have 'Canelo' facing William Scull from Saudi Arabia.
Both events -- which are pay-per-view -- are priced at $59.99.
On Wednesday DAZN announced that they are offering both events for $90.
DAZN
“This bundle is a prime example of how DAZN is reshaping the future of fight sports,” said Pete Oliver, CEO, Growth Markets at DAZN. “We’re bringing together two of the most anticipated events of the year — a first-of-its-kind fight night in Times Square and Canelo’s return in Riyadh — and making them more accessible than ever. Our goal is to deliver premium boxing experiences to fans around the world, whether they’re following rising prospects or watching global icons. This is a major moment for the sport, and DAZN is proud to lead from the front.”
No word on if you'll get a set of Ginsu knives with this offer.
3KR
It's the return of the '3 Knockdown Rule' with Mario Lopez and I, we discuss all things boxing and beyond:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy3vwKOQNfg
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