Danny returns and is looking to make up for lost time in ring
Danny Costello…returns on Coventry show on September 28
AFTER a frustrating 11 months out, Danny Costello aims to fan the flames of his fledgling career on September 28.
The southpaw welterweight makes his return on a stacked Coventry Sports Connexion show that will also showcase Minaaz Gurung, Britain’s only Nepalese born pro, and Midlands champ Ashlee Eales.
Unbeaten Gurung is set to fight in his first six rounder.
Costello, from Nuneaton, admits he’s struggled to mix pro boxing with the demands of a young family – his children are aged two and just 10 months – and the flexible hours required for his day job as boxing teacher and fitness instructor.
As well as coaching in the gym, he delivers classes in schools.
You could sense the frustration when manager Jon Pegg told me: “He’s a neat southpaw and neat southpaws need to be active. I’ve told him I want him to be more active.”
The 24-year-old has the tools to make an impact – he can box or force the action and hits with authority. His only loss in four is fairly meaningless, coming by split decision over three rounds in a knockout tournament. What’s more, Danny lost to the eventual winner.
He hopes the offer of a job as a groundworker, with set hours and a set wage, will provide the stability needed to pursue pro boxing.
“With two young kids and my work being stop-start, it’s been carnage,” Danny admitted. “I used to worry about selling tickets. The new job will take a lot of that pressure away. This is the most mentally strong I’ve felt.
“The goals remain the same, it’s just getting it all going. I want to get to British level, I think that’s one of the most respected belts out there at the moment. The British title is a much higher standard than the European, in my eyes.”
Danny stressed he’s prepared to take fights in the other guy’s backyard. He’s confident of pulling off upsets.
He added: “The way I box, someone who is coming at me will suit me better. With a journeyman who’s not coming at me, I struggle.”
Minaaz Gurung…takes part in his first six rounder on the bill
Fellow Nuneaton “young gun” Gurung is a light-welter with an interesting cover story. He was born in Pokhara, Nepal, and his grandfather served in the Gurkhas. That service gave his family the chance to move here. Dad Thakur is a taxi driver.
His fights attract a colourful, noisy Nepalese crowd.
After looking raw in his debut, Gurung has showed steady improvement and is now unbeaten in four.
He certainly possesses plenty of old fashioned bottle.
“He wants to get stuck in,” said manager Pegg, “he wants to step up to six rounds and that’s what we’re doing – we’re giving him a little test.”
A product of Bedworth’s Boxing Clever Academy, Minaaz hung up his amateur vest after 11 wins in 20 bouts.
Gurung is a man on a mission – to promote sport within this country’s Nepalese community.
He told me: “Nepalese parents don’t see progress in getting their kids into sport. They push them towards being lawyers, doctors, police…”
He’s certainly leaving no stone unturned in his bid for boxing success.
Minaaz added: “I don’t have a social life, I want to pursue my dream. I’m in the gym all the time.”
“I turned pro because my dad always believed in me, always pushed me. I never wanted to let him down. I wanted to turn pro when I was 18, but wasn’t really ready for it. I wanted to make a statement, I wanted to be the first Nepalese fighter to win a title.
“I used to doubt myself so much, but not anymore.”
He warned: “As an amateur, I could make people dance – you know, make their legs wobble, but I was never really a finisher. Now I’m sparring pros and better fighters, I believe it’s all coming together.”