Ballymena boxer Ella McDonald set for dream professional debut after remarkable rise through the sport

Ballymena boxer Ella McDonald

A Ballymena woman who only started boxing in her mid-twenties is preparing to make her professional debut next month after an extraordinary rise through the amateur ranks that has already seen her claim major titles, win international medals and train alongside some of the best fighters in Ireland.

At just 28 years old, Ella McDonald will step into the professional game for the first time at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on June 26 — a moment she once believed would never be possible.

For the former Ballymena Academy pupil, the journey to this point has been anything but conventional.

Growing up in Ballymena after being born in New York City, Ella says boxing was always something she admired from a distance, but never truly believed she could pursue.

“Growing up, boxing wasn’t really popular for girls and my parents thought it was too violent,” she explained.

“I’d always wanted to box but never got the chance. I tried loads of different hobbies before eventually starting Ju-Jitsu in Ballymena when I was about 12. I stayed with it until I left for university and even got my junior black belt.”

From Ballymena to the boxing spotlight

Ella attended Broadbridge Primary School before moving on to Ballymena Academy and later studying psychology at Oxford Brookes University.

Like many young people from Northern Ireland, she returned home during the Covid pandemic and began building her life and career locally, taking up a role at the Galgorm Resort where she still works today.

But it was after returning home that everything changed.

A simple boxercise class reignited the ambition she had carried quietly for years.

“When I came home after university I went to a boxercise class and completely fell in love with it,” she said.

“I loved the intensity of training and how much focus it requires. I’ve always been a fast learner and I think that helped me progress quickly.”

At an age when many fighters already have years of competitive experience behind them, Ella was only beginning.

“I thought I was too old to box, but really I just had to work harder and faster to catch up,” she said.

“I’m competitive and I love challenging myself. I think it’s less about how good you are and more about whether you’re brave enough to find out how good you can be.”

A rapid rise through the amateur ranks

Ballymena boxer Ella McDonald

What followed was a remarkable run of progress that quickly turned heads within boxing circles.

After competing in white collar contests, Ella made the decision to commit fully to amateur boxing, travelling regularly to Belfast to train at Corpus Christi Boxing Club.

Her first amateur fight came in January last year during the Ulster Elite Championships — against an opponent who had already won eight national titles.

Although she lost on points, the experience proved transformational.

“It showed me that I was able to compete at that level,” she said.

Just weeks later she travelled to Sweden for the prestigious Golden Girl Box Cup and stunned opponents by winning gold after fighting three bouts in just three days.

The momentum continued.

Over the past year, Ella has won the Ulster Intermediates title, reached the final of the National Intermediates and claimed silver at the Swedish Box Cup earlier this year.

Winning: Ella McDonald at the Ulster Elites in December, Ella defeated Ciara Craig who held the championship title in 2025.

The pain and the glory: Ella celebrating

Ballymena Boxer Ella McDonald with her coaches Homer (right) and Alec (left), from Corpus Christi amateur boxing club

But she says her proudest amateur achievement came in December when she captured the Ulster Elite title — defeating the reigning champion in the same competition where she had made her amateur debut only a year earlier.

“In one year I came back and won the competition where I’d had my first fight,” she said.

“It meant so much to me.”

Her performances also earned her a place on the Ulster High Performance Team, where she trained alongside fighters who now form part of the Commonwealth Games set-up.

Training under world champion Ryan Burnett

Another major turning point came in September when Ella began training under former unified world champion Ryan Burnett.

Now coaching from his boxing academy, Burnett encouraged Ella to consider the professional ranks after recognising that her naturally aggressive and powerful style suited the pro game.

“I always loved the professional style of boxing and Ryan felt it suited me,” Ella explained.

“We had a lot of conversations about what I wanted from boxing and he encouraged me to sign professional.”

“It was a massive step to take so early in my career but I definitely feel it’s the right one.”

Ella is also beginning to coach within Burnett’s gym and now works one-to-one with clients while continuing her own intensive training schedule.

Balancing boxing with work and real life

Ballymena boxer Ella McDonald during her white collar, where she stopped her opponent Hannah in the second round.

Behind the medals and titles, Ella says the reality of chasing a boxing career while working full-time has been one of the toughest parts of the journey.

At one stage she was working between 50 and 65 hours per week while also training for around 25 hours weekly.

“It was too much,” she admitted.

“I’ve learned that rest and recovery are just as important as hard work in the gym.”

She credits Galgorm with helping make her boxing ambitions possible.

The company supported her by allowing her to move roles internally to create more time for training, while also sponsoring her international competitions.

“I’m really proud to have their support behind me,” she said.

“They’ve helped me gain experience at international box cups and supported me throughout the whole journey.”

Ella also paid tribute to the coaches and mentors who helped guide her rise through the sport, including Brian Holmes — known affectionately as “Homer” — and Alec O’Neill.

“Without Homer I’d never have won the Elites,” she said.

“Alec was so supportive and cornered for me in the Elites which meant the world.”

A message for girls and women thinking about boxing

Ella says she hopes her story will inspire other women and girls across Ballymena and Northern Ireland to step outside their comfort zones and pursue ambitions they may once have dismissed.

“There’s been times when it’s been really difficult and I’ve questioned everything,” she said.

“But knowing what to stick out is just as important as knowing what to walk away from.

“I’d hope any girls or women would see what I’ve done and feel inspired to chase their own dreams, whether it’s in sport or another field.

“You’re never too old to start something new and if you love something you owe it to yourself to try.

“Girls and women shouldn’t be put off combat sports like boxing. It’s unbelievable what it can do for your confidence and mindset.”

Ella added that anyone interested in starting boxing or combat sports is welcome to reach out to her directly for advice or encouragement.

Countdown begins for professional debut in Belfast

Ella’s professional debut is scheduled for June 26 at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast as part of ‘The Last Dance’, promoted by Conlan Boxing.

The event will also feature the final professional fight of former IBO world champion Pody McCrory alongside appearances from several leading Irish fighters.

Ella is among four fighters making their professional debuts on the night, alongside Jamie Graham, Bryce Collins and John Ferry.

For the Ballymena boxer, however, this moment is about more than one fight.

After beginning the sport later than most, overcoming setbacks, balancing exhausting work schedules and climbing through the amateur ranks at speed, her debut represents proof of what can happen when determination meets opportunity.

“It’s strange thinking about my aspirations because I’m already achieving more than I ever thought possible when I first started,” she said.

“I feel lucky to be where I am and I’m enjoying every part of the journey.

“Who wouldn’t want to become a world champion?”

Anyone wishing to follow Ella’s journey can find her on Instagram at:

Visit Ella on Instagram

Those interested in purchasing tickets for her professional debut can contact Ella directly through her social media pages or book through the Waterfront Hall website here:

Book Tickets

With Ballymena now firmly behind her, June 26 promises to be the beginning of a new chapter for a fighter whose story is already inspiring people far beyond the boxing ring.