Costello prepares for a nappy event on the week of his contest
Danny Costello…faces MJ Hall on October 14
NUNEATON’S Danny Costello can be forgiven for being a little distracted in the run-up to his fourth professional fight.
His partner Lissy expects their second child on the week of the October 14 bout at Sport Connexions, Coventry.
Danny is not just preparing for a match, the 23-year-old is preparing for something much, much important: a new arrival in the family home.
“The fight date is not ideal,” the 23-year-old admitted, “but it’s work. Life’s non-stop at the moment.”
Danny, a southpaw welter, will face prolific Black Country journeyman MJ Hall over four rounds at Sport Connexion.
His fourth outing has been a long time coming. Danny last fought in February on Tommy Owens’ one night, eight man welter Top Boxer tournament. He dazzled in his first bout, outpointing Tommy Loach, but lost in the semi-final to eventual winner Kirk Stevens on a split decision.
That’s the only blemish on his CV and it’s a minor one. Over three rounds – the Top Boxer distance – anything can happen. The loss is meaningless.
“It’s been a long time,” Danny said. “I was supposed to box in June, but that show got cancelled. Another date came up, but I was going on holiday.”
He’s spent the time away from competitive action further adapting his style to the pro ranks. “I feel I’m a different fighter,” he said. “You could see my amateur pedigree in previous performance, now I’m sitting down on my shots and hitting a lot harder.
A product of the Boxing Clever club, Danny signed pro forms after 11 amateur bouts: “I was beating lads who had 30 bouts, national champions, and thought, why not?”
He hopes to make a statement against Hall, a veteran of over 100 contests who has tested the best prospects in the land.
“I want a stoppage,” Danny said. “If I can’t stop him with power, I’ll try to stop him with pressure and lots of shots.
“This should be my last four rounder and I want to make a statement. I’ll go as far as I can and believe I can go all the way to the top, I’m putting the work in.”
I wish him luck. MJ knows every trick in the book and is near impossible to budge.