FLM: Growing up in NE Ohio, boxing is not a sport that most kids are introduced to in that area. When did you first start boxing and was that the only sport that you played as a youngster?
CW: I actually got introduced to boxing by my Dad about seven years ago. He had always been a boxing fan and asked me if I wanted to try it. My Dad used to train, but he never competed, however I think he wanted me and my brothers and sisters to take up the sport. I started training and as time went on I just fell in love with boxing. In middle school I played basketball and never really thought about being a boxer, but I knew that I had the potential to be really good one day. When I started training, I just stuck with it and got better and better.
FLM: Describe your journey from when you first started to the point where you are now?
CW: I started when I was eleven-years old. I initially competed in small local tournaments and really didn’t hit the national or international tournaments until I was 15 or 16 years old. As I got older and started competing in the international tournaments, such as the Junior Olympics, Golden Gloves, and Youth World Championships, I started to become more focused.
FLM: What were your expectations going into the Olympic trials competing as a middleweight fighter and what are your expectations in Rio?
CW: My expectations for the Olympic trials were to bring home the gold medal. Don’t fall short and bring home the gold medal. That’s still my goal today and expectations for the Olympics. I want to be physically sharp and compete to bring home a gold medal.
FLM: For those folks that have never seen you fight, describe your boxing style and what people can expect to see when they watch you compete in Rio.
CW: I’m a boxer puncher and I like to mix it up in the ring. Fans will see me give my all and I will leave it all in the ring. They should expect a good fight from Charles Conwell. My strength is my ability to listen to my coaches and stay with the game plan. I also adapt quickly to my opponent’s style of fighting.
FLM: As the youngest member on this year’s USA Olympic boxing team what have you learned from the older guys on the team and what have you taught them?
CW: Everyone on the team is pretty young. I don’t believe anyone is over the age of 21. I pretty much came up with these guys by going to the same tournaments. We still learn from each other every day. We give each other pointers. I may help them a little with their jabs or tight defense. Even though I’m younger I have an older mindset, so I get treated like any of the older fighters.
FLM: Are you closer with any one particular teammate than the others?
CW: I’m not really closer to any one person on the team. We’re much pretty all a tight bunch. We’re all the same.
FLM: Since you’ve made the Olympic team have people treated you any differently than before the Olympic trials?
CW: I have more supporters now, because I’m more well-known. I guess I may get treated a little better and with a little more respect.
FLM: Tell me about your heroes that you look up to or that have inspired you as kid or a young adult.
CW: I looked up to a lot of different guys, but my mother and father will always be my heroes. They’ve done so much for me. I liked Mike Tyson as a fighter because of his aggressiveness and explosion in the ring. Although I can hit pretty hard I’m not a knockout artist, but I liked the way Tyson knocked out everyone else.
FLM: I’m sure that you are a hero to your family and many others. Tell me what you think makes someone a hero.
CW: A hero to me is someone who can set a good example for anyone, not just young people. Also a person that takes care of business in an admirable way and lives well.
FLM: If you bring home the gold what will be your next goal in your boxing career?
CW: My next goal will be to become world champion. I also want to help other up-and-coming fighters and start my pro career … and become World Champion!