Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock both applied for Love Island before the Commonwealth Games but turned down interviews with the show’s producers, with McConnell going on to claim boxing gold in the men’s 60kg category in Glasgow
Jon McConnell’s choice to turn down Love Island in favour of pursuing Commonwealth Games glory proved worthwhile as he stormed to victory in the men’s 60kg boxing division in Glasgow.
The 23 year old from Belfast’s renowned Holy Trinity club had previously disclosed during the Games that both he and Northern Ireland colleague Kaci Rock had submitted applications for the popular ITV programme before declining interviews with the show’s producers.
McConnell emerged victorious from an enthralling bout against Wales’s Orlando Holley-Sotomi and confirmed he would reject any future temptation to reapply in order to chase his ambition of competing at the 2028 Olympics.
McConnell said: “If I hadn’t got through the early rounds, maybe I’d have thought I didn’t make the right decision, but I’ve got the gold medal now.
“He put me under a lot of pressure but I have a lot of belief in myself. Everybody thinks I’m just this pretty boxer type of thing, but I’m a hard, hard man to beat – and I showed it today.”
Meanwhile, Rock suffered a unanimous points loss to England’s Sacha Hickey in the women’s 65kg category, extending the 22 year old Londoner’s remarkable rise in the sport.
Millwall supporter Hickey began boxing aged six after trying it on her Nintendo Wii. She was brought to the celebrated Fisher club in Rotherhithe where she quickly flourished despite being the sole female participant.
“I’ve gone from Nintendo Wii to the big leagues,” Hickey joked following a commanding display against her Northern Irish opponent. “I remember shadow-boxing in front of the TV and somehow I’ve ended up here today.
“It’s put me in a great position. I’m sixth in the world rankings now and I’ve got the European Championships next, where I’m going for gold. After that it’s all about the World Championships and qualifying for LA.”
England’s Patris Mughalzai secured gold in the men’s 65kg category with a unanimous decision over Australia’s Jacob Cassar, while Isaac Okoh dominated Connor Williams of Wales to complete a hat-trick for his nation within an hour at 90kg.
Northern Ireland’s Michaela Walsh claimed her fourth successive Commonwealth Games gold medal but had to be content with silver after losing on points to India’s Jaismine Lamboria at 57kg.
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