Costello looks to get back on winning trail

Costello…the southpaw welter is back in action in Coventry

TICKET-SELLER Danny Costello returns to action next month following his first pro loss.

The southpaw welter will fight in a four rounder on Tommy Owens’ June 3 show at Coventry Sports Connexion.

That’s his first outing since being outpointed by Kirk Stevens over three rounds in the exciting Top Boxer tournament: a one night contest that saw eight welters battle for a lucrative cash pot.

The defeat, four months ago, was hardly a catastrophe and is, in reality, fairly meaningless. Over three rounds, anything can happen and Danny, who dazzled in his first bout of the evening, lost by a razor-thin split decision in the semis. Stevens would go on to win the competition.

Similar losses, in similar competition, were suffered by Kaisee Benjamin and Sam Eggington. Both have gone on to much bigger things.

Nevertheless, Danny, from Nuneaton, said: “It definitely knocked my confidence. I went there expecting to win it and get a major contract. Being robbed, in my eyes, of the decision was a kick in the teeth.

“I had this fantasy of a smooth road to the top, now I’ve got to do it the hard way.”

The 23-year-old is still wearing his professional L Plates. He’s had only three bouts – and two of those were in the Top Boxer tournament.

A product of the Boxing Clever club, he signed pro forms after 11 amateur bouts. “I was beating lads who had 30 bouts, national champions, and thought, why not?

“I’m improving all the time and think a Midlands title fight will happen the back end of next year. I need the rounds first. It’s about keeping on going.”

“My strength is skilful boxing, hitting and moving.”

Danny has a gym-based day job helping troubled youngsters through boxing training.

And the money big fights bring will certainly come in handy. Danny has two boys, aged one and six, and another on the way in October.

“It’s a busy home,” he laughed.