Stephen McMonagle makes Commonwealth exit after defeat to Joshua sparring partner

Stephen McMonagle has exited the Commonwealth Games as the Letterkenny man lost out in his super-heavyweight quarter-final against Patrick Mailata from New Zealand.

McMonagle, who boxes out of the Holy Trinity club in Belfast, put up a gutsy showing, but Mailata showed his worth.

Mailata forced McMonagle into two standing counts over the bout.

McMonagle’s Northern Irish team-mates Kurt Walker, Aidan Walsh and Michaela Walsh all guaranteed themselves bronze medals earlier today, but McMonagle had no answer for Mailata – who sparred with Anthony Joshua ahead of his recent world title bout with Joseph Parker.

Mailata traveled to Sheffield to aid Joshua’s preparation before returning to get his Commonwealth bid underway.