THERE was a time when it felt as though the setbacks were never-ending, but Jon McConnell didn’t lose faith.
Injuries, coming out the wrong side of split decisions, and trying to force his way into the picture in one of the country’s most competitive weight classes meant McConnell has had to bide his time as a senior boxer.
But now the Holy Trinity ace is back to his best, having claimed the 70kg Irish title in January, securing his spot on the plane to Brazil for the upcoming World Boxing Cup in Foz do Iguacu.
“I always knew it was going to come – it was just when.
“I was getting a lot of bad luck, a few decisions against me. I made the jump two weights to try and qualify for the last Olympics, I wasn’t a 71 kilo boxer at all, but I was still mixing it with the best in the country and internationally.
“When I box to my best, nobody can beat me. It’s just getting it right, getting the preparation right, and we’ve been bouncing out of our skin coming up to Brazil.
“I’m expecting to win it. Going over, that’s what the mindset is now, especially building into next year. This is a massive year to push on internationally.”
And McConnell is determined to make a mark after a hand injury sustained in last year’s Ulster elites saw him miss most of a frustrating 2025.
“I hurt it in the first round of the semi-final of the Ulster elites… it turned out to be bone bruising and bleeding. If it was broken it probably would’ve healed sooner.
“I fought in the final two days later, basically with one hand – my hand was like a balloon, but I still won. I didn’t miss out on too many tournaments because of the transition to World Boxing, but it was a lot of rehab, a lot of different dates pushed back, but I finally got there in the end, let it heal, and I’ve no problems with it now.
“Maybe it was a blessing in disguise; it built my character and built my mindset up.”