NI boxers turn down Love Island chance for Commonwealth Games glory

Two members of Northern Ireland's boxing squad at the Commonwealth Games have chosen the boxing ring over romance after reaching the audition stages for Love Island.

Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock, both from Belfast's Holy Trinity club, progressed through the initial audition rounds before deciding to withdraw to focus on their sporting ambitions at the Games in Glasgow.

McConnell, 23, who competes at 70kg, admitted that the opportunity initially came through his teammate Rock. "I used to spend a lot of time watching Love Island with the team," he said. "It was never really my idea at first but Kaci mentioned it and said she'd put my name forward as well. I got through a few stages of the process but then I got selected for the Commonwealth Games."

Rock, whose father is celebrated Dublin fighter Jim Rock, known as the Pink Panther, has regularly expressed her ambition to challenge preconceptions about women in boxing. She explained her decision: "Me and Jon have been friends for years and I joked about going on it one day. The two of us got to the same point but then we said oh God it's too soon. I'd rather make my name in sport than anything else."

Rock has ruled out revisiting the Love Island opportunity in the near future. However, McConnell remains open to the possibility should the show's producers wish to keep his chance alive.

"If they want to give me a call after I've won a gold medal they're welcome," McConnell said. "Maybe I'll be standing on the podium with my medal around my neck and they can reach out to me then."

Both athletes have prioritised their Commonwealth Games campaign over the prospect of reality television fame, showing their commitment to establishing themselves in boxing.