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Boxing duo quit Love Island auditions for Commonwealth Games and shot at gold medal glory

Two Commonwealth Games stars had the opportunity to take part in the popular reality television series

[Northern Irish boxer Kaci Rock ]

Kaci Rock dabbled with Love Island before focusing on the Commonwealth Games(Image: kacirockk/Instagram)

Two of Team Northern Ireland's top boxers at the Commonwealth Games have chosen the boxing ring over romance after nearly entering the Love Island villa.

Jon McConnell and Kaci Rock - from Belfast's Holy Trinity club - progressed through the iconic reality TV show's initial audition rounds before withdrawing to focus on their sporting ambitions, including the Commonwealth Games, which is currently taking place in Glasgow.

Rock, whose father is the legendary Irish champion Jim Rock, revealed that her ambition to make her mark in the ring rather than on reality television ultimately influenced her choice.

[Northern Irish boxer Kaci Rock ]

Rock wants to make her name in boxing rather than reality TV(Image: kacirockk/Instagram)

She explained: "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."

While Rock is adamant she won't be revisiting the Love Island process anytime soon, McConnell remains open to bringing some additional glitz to the villa should the producers wish to keep his opportunity available.

"If they want to give me a call after I've won a gold medal, they're welcome," said the 70kg fighter. "Maybe I'll be standing on the podium with my medal around my neck and they can reach out to me then.

"I used to spend a lot of time watching Love Island with the team. It was never really my idea at first, but Kaci mentioned it and said she'd put my name forward as well.

[Northern Irish boxer Jon McConnell ]

Jon McConnell is open to taking a medal into Love Island(Image: jon_mcconnell_/Instagram)

"I got through a few stages of the process but then I got selected for the Commonwealth Games."

The Games began with Thursday's opening ceremony, which saw the King and Queen take centre stage in the show as they emerged from a Tardis at Glasgow's OVO Hydro arena. This wasn't the first time a monarch has made a memorable entrance at a major sporting event's opening ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth II famously participated in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony, appearing to skydive into the stadium from a helicopter alongside James Bond actor Daniel Craig, who had escorted her from Buckingham Palace.

Over 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories are set to compete across 10 sports and six Para sports over 11 days of competition.

Watch the 2026 Commonwealth Games live on TNT Sports

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TNT Sports is airing all the action from the 2026 Commonwealth Games live from Glasgow across July 23 to August 2. Fans can tune in live on HBO Max or Prime Video's TNT Sports channel.

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