Charles 'Bad News' Conwell Wants to Bring Olympic Gold Home for Cleveland

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — At 18, Cleveland Heights native, Conwell is the youngest member of the United States boxing team but don't underestimate the middleweight contender — all he does is win. To earn his trip to Rio, Conwell went undefeated through the Olympic trials and Americas Qualifier Tournament. Tonight, he gets his Olympic debut.

In a recent interview, Conwell told WKYC:

“A gold medal. I just need to be in those top names like Muhammad Ali, Oscar de la Hoya,” Conwell said. “I need to get that gold medal. I want to do it for me and my country and my family. I’m going to get it.”

Conwell understands that his olympic success depends upon focussing on his offensive strategies and staying aware of what his opponent is doing inside the ring. He describes himself as a "boxer-puncher," someone that loves the sport, the banging and the contact.

In this year's Olympics, boxers will not be required to wear protective headgear, this could be conducive to Conwell's love-of-contact boxing style.

Conwell told WKYC that he wants to reward his family's support with a medal run and bring home some hardware for Cleveland:

“Without Cleveland, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” Conwell said. “I know like the whole city will be proud, and I want to bring it back home for each and every one here.”

Conwell will get in the ring for his first Olympic Middleweight bout Tuesday at 5:15 against India's Vikas Krishan Yadav.

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