AFTER close to two-and-a-half years away, Danny Costello is back – older, wiser and a lot busier.
The welter heralded his return with a shutout four rounds win over Sam Kirk in the plush setting of Scott Murray’s Excelsior Sporting Club, Cannock.
It was a sensible comeback for the Nuneaton 25-year-old. Doncaster’s Kirk is a busy journeyman yet to have his hand raised in victory, but well honed in survival skills.
A hectic schedule – and much stiffer tests – now await Costello, a product of Lee Spare’s Boxing Clever sweat shop.
On Saturday, he travels to York Hall, Bethnal Green, to face Dean Gardner who has lost two of 13.
But on March 28, an ever greater challenge awaits. At Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena Costello is pitted against former outstanding amateur John Joe Carrigan, a young man tipped for very big things. Victory in that one would be considered a major upset.
After four fights (one loss), Costello, who has a young family, appears to have selected a fighting life on the road.
And manager Jon Pegg pledged: “If fighters give a bit back, I’ll give them what they want.”
Costello certainly seems to have returned to the ring with more focus. He’s a solid operator with a good ring IQ who can earn well from the game.
Pegg was pleased with last week’s performance. “He looked surprisingly sharp considering how long he’s been out,” he said.
“He’s fighting on Saturday in a winnable fight and wants to take the jobs as they come. He’s capable of winning a title and may have to do it on the road, the way Ben Fields and Kirk Stevens did it which is the most rewarding way.
“Win an area title and you’re at 10 round level and, then, anything can happen.”
Trainer Spare said: “It was a good performance. There were a few silly little things like staying in range too long and head movement, but that was down to rust.
“Danny needs to get a bit of self-belief back in himself because he has a lot of ability – he’s the kind of lad who builds confidence from performances.”
Lee added: “I think Danny has matured a lot since he turned over. He’s mentally stronger, he’s more focused, more channelled about the things he needs to do. He struggled to sell tickets, he struggled to run boxing and family life side-by-side.
“A big things is (fighting away from home) he doesn’t have to sell tickets. The good thing is he didn’t really leave the gym.”
