Man’s man is connecting with a punch (8)
I believe the answer is:
islander
'man's man' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'is connecting with a punch' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'is' is within the answer.
'with' could be 'and' and 'and' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for islander that I've seen before include "End rails (anag)" , "Lesbian for one" , "Perhaps Sardinian" , "I snarled at one surrounded by water" , "Sicilian, e.g." .)