Returning talent Costello on the right road to becoming big hitter

THE MIDLAND BOXING BEAT WITH MIKE LOCKLEY

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Jess Barry, left, returned with an impressive win

FTER 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.

On March 28, an ever greater challenge awaits. At Manchester's Coop 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 gives 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.