Southpaw Costello looks one to watch

Costello has his hand raised in victory over MJ Hall. Pic: Jack Perry

DANNY Costello can be pleased with his night’s work after dominating vastly experienced MJ Hall at Coventry’s Sports Connexion last night.

Hands low, the Nuneaton southpaw showed impressive footwork to create angles, step around the Brierley Hill journeyman’s body and unleash hurtful hooks to the flanks.

MJ, his nose bloodied, the one side of his body crimson, soaked it all up, losing the four-rounder by a landslide 40-36 decision.

Watching the fellow southpaw – a veteran of over 100 fights – I was again impressed by the man’s durability.

He is one very tough individual. He took his lump unflinchingly. In his corner was friend a stablemate Kane Baker, another hard man.

I like Kane. Despite possessing the chipped, chiselled features that would make a rabid dog think twice before taking a bite, he’s a thoroughly nice, likeable individual.

Kane made a point of coming over, shaking my hand and chatting boxing.

Costello, who has now won three of four, is a good fighter. We’ll find out how good when he steps up.

Before facing Hall, he told me the plan was to stop MJ. Many have had that plan, very few have managed to execute it.

Over four rounds, the Black Country journeyman would’ve probably survived the distance against Thomas Hearns.

After beating MJ (11st 50z), 23-year-old Costello celebrated in the ring with the latest family addition, son Roman.

Roman was born two weeks ago. The Costellos evidently believe in introducing their children to the fight game very early on.

Costello (11st 1lb 9oz) fired snapping jabs, took a step to the side, sank rights to the body, then planted an uppercut before pivoting out of the way.

Danny, hands by his waist, caught Hall with a three punch combo in the third and was delivering uppercuts in third.

He looks one to watch, but needs to inject activity into his career. This was his first fight in eight months.