Bohachuk-Ortiz undercard report: Charles Conwell halts Khiary Gray in second round with body shot

Junior middleweight contender Charles Conwell. Photo by Adam DelGiudice

Aug

LAS VEGAS – Charles Conwell is making a case to be considered for a world title shot.

Conwell knocked out Khiary Gray in the second round at the Michelob Ultra Arena inside the Mandalay Bay. Conwell, who is rated No. 9 by The Ring at 154 pounds, improved to 20-0, 15 knockouts.

From the opening bell, Conwell was the more-effective fighter, landing the harder punches to the head and body of Gray.

Towards the end of round two, Conwell landed a left hook to the body. Moments later, Conwell landed a left hook to the head, followed by a vicious left hook to the body, dropping Gray to the canvas. Referee Allenn Huggins counted Gray out at 2:32.

Conwell’s left hooks to the body left Gray paralyzed on the canvas. Photo by Adam DelGiudice

Conwell, who resides in Cleveland, Ohio, previously fought on April 20 on the undercard of the Devin Haney-Ryan Garcia fight in Brooklyn, New York, stopping former fringe contender Nathaniel Gallimore in the sixth round.

The win over Gallimore was Conwell’s debut under the Golden Boy Promotions’ banner. The 30-year-old had not fought since November 2022, defeating Juan Carlos Abreu by majority decision.

Conwell is managed by John Habibi.

Gray, who resides in Worcester, Massachusetts, falls to 18-7, 13 KOs.

The 31-year-old Gray has now split his last eight fights, losing by knockout to Gary O’Sullivan in March 2019 and losing by decision in July 2021 to Bakhram Murtazaliev, who recently won the vacant IBF world junior middleweight title.

The Conwell-Gray fight was the co-main event prior to the junior middleweight clash between Serhii Bohachul and Vergil Ortiz.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at [email protected]

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