Both options required him to live away from home, remove his shirt, be judged by strangers and stand opposite someone who might damage his confidence.
The main difference is that Glasgow provided headguards.
McConnell defeated India’s Sumit Sumit by a 4–1 decision after falling behind and having a point deducted.
This would be considered excellent television in either format.
He is now one victory away from a medal.
Had he entered the villa, he could instead have been one conversation away from describing someone as â€Å“not usually my type†before selecting them anyway.
McConnell chose boxing because it offered the simpler summer.
Training. Fighting. Recovery. Repeat.
Nobody asks where his head is at. Nobody pulls him for a chat. If another man dislikes him, the matter is handled over three rounds by qualified officials.
There is also no recoupling ceremony. Boxers are paired by weight, which is admittedly less romantic but considerably faster.
By choosing Glasgow, McConnell has exchanged the possibility of sponsorship deals and a podcast for a small piece of metal and the chance to be punched on behalf of Northern Ireland.
It is difficult to say which path offers the greater long-term financial security.
But if McConnell loses his next bout, he will at least be eliminated by a trained judge rather than the public after a difficult conversation beside a beanbag.