Costello is just three fights from title glory

Danny Costello…newcomer taking a ring gamble

DANNY Costello is just three fights – and a maximum of nine rounds – away from being an overnight sensation.

The 22-year-old from Nuneaton  - a fighter with a big following - is one of eight unbeaten prospects entered in the Top Boxer tournament that goes ahead at Solihull Ice Rink on Saturday, February 18.

The winner of three, three-round fights on the night will claim a cheque for £8,000 – and climb the rankings.

Costello made a winning debut last September, outpointing Petar Aleksandrov, and said: “I was expecting to fight another journeyman next.

“But the second this was mentioned Top Boxer to mem I said ‘yes’.

“I didn’t even care who else was in it. I’m willing to take the risk.

“If I beat three unbeaten opponents on the same night it will get my name out there and should send me up the rankings.

“I’m hoping it would put me in the top 20 in Britain.

“I’ve done my research and a lot of the others have come from a white-collar background.

“I had an amateur career, so I have the pedigree. I fought national champions over three rounds – and beat them.

“I have the experience that the others haven’t got.

“I like to think I’m a stylish and tidy boxer. I respect all the other fighters in the tournament, but I feel I have more tools than they have.”

Costello has an experienced ex-fighter in his corner as well.

As an amateur, Lee Spare reached the ABA light-heavyweight final in 2004 and won the Combined Services title six times.

Costello said: “There’s nothing Lee doesn’t know about boxing and he’s passing on his knowledge to me.”

Costello has been trained by Spare since his first amateur bout five years ago.

He said: “I was always in and out of the gym as a kid. I started kick boxing at 14 and had an MMA fight when I was 16. I lost that fight because every time I hit him, he took me to the ground and started wrestling. I decided it wasn’t for me and took up boxing instead.”