RSR Bids a Sad Farewell to Former WBC Light Welterweight Champion Billy Costello

By Mike Plunkett

They say that prizefighting is the cruelest of all professional sports. It demands so much more from those that pursue it than other more mainstream sport. It is thankless and short on memory when the bell tolls and a given soul is left to move on, often at a point when the better part of youth, spirit and health are long gone. And for those good enough and blessed enough to benefit in that rare and elusive way the prize ring sometimes offers, the door shuts just as suddenly and with the same force once a given career begins to wander onto that unavoidable bumpy path that leads to the harsh realities of life. But as cruel as boxing can be, the real world or life as we know it can be shockingly exacting, demanding payment on that proverbial pound of flesh without regard for the calendar or the years of those for which the bell tolls.

Billy Costello was born on April 10th 1956 in Kingston, New York, the product of a mixed union between a Caucasian father and an Asian Indian mother, one of nine children and at a time when his country observed racial segregation. His formative years no doubt contributed to his spirit and strong inner character, attributes that would manifest themselves years later as he embarked on a career in the prize ring. “People were always calling me a half-breed and zebra. A lot of black guys were mad at me because, even though I looked black, I joined the Boy Scouts and had friendships with white kids, too.” Despite the road blocks and challenges presented during that period in history, Billy’s formative years were decidedly well-rounded. He excelled in sports, like countless other young boys his age, dreaming of one day becoming a professional baseball player after a stint on the Kingston High School baseball team. “Everyone was always telling me, ‘Billy, you can’t do this’ and ‘Billy, you can’t do that.’ But all that ever did was make me more determined than before.”

At age 19 he donned the gloves for the first time at the Police Athletic League program in Kingston when it became clear his first ambition was beyond his grasp. Having a knack for controlled fisticuffs, he stayed the course, a pursuit which culminated in a Golden Gloves Open Championship at lightweight in 1978.

Costello turned profession in August 1979 with a unanimous decision over the 2-4-1 Angel Ortiz at the Felt Forum in New York City. Having amassed a fine undefeated 26-0 record in just over three years, he found himself at the Civic Center Arena in Beaumont Texas, standing across the ring from light welterweight champion Bruce Curry, challenging him the WBC title in January 1984. It was a surreal moment as the negative sound bytes of his youth resonated through his thoughts; “I looked across the ring, and I said to myself, I’m here. People put me down all my life, but I’m here.” At his peak and fighting with purpose, Costello stopped Curry on a technical knockout in the 10th round of a competitive fight. He had made it to the top of the most demanding and unforgiving of all professional sports, against the odds and in defiance of the specters of his youth.

Costello managed to successfully defend his WBC light welterweight title three times, all by convincing unanimous 12-round decision. Wins over former NABF titlist Ronnie Shields and former WBC light welterweight champion Leroy Haley underlined his talent and bookended his victory over the vastly underrated Saoul Mamby, also a former WBC light welter champion, a triumph that suggests just how special he was at the height of his powers.

In August 1985 Costello found himself just slightly beyond that special period when he was unexpectedly dragged into the sort of moment that so often measures those that choose to ply their trade in the prize ring while simultaneously stripping them of that indescribable something extra that first enabled them to climb the most unlikely of summits. Having enjoyed a rousing start to what was supposed to be his 4th title defense, he floored the talented 21-0-1 “Lightning’ Lonnie Smith in the 1st round, only to later find himself on the short end of five additional knockdowns. The bout was waved off at 2:31 of the 8th round, with Costello holding a slight lead on two of the three official scorecards. Just like that he was a former champion; fate had stepped-in, both his professional career and life changed in an instant.

Costello would cap the decade that saw him ascend the mountain top in mixed fashion. A win just four months after losing his WBC title gave hope to another run at the big time but fate stepped-in once again, this time in an almost poetic manner, when he was chopped down in just four rounds, falling to the fists of all-time great Alexis Arguello. It was his last best opportunity to regain the form that once saw his record reach 30-0, and it came at a moment when the former three-division superstar gave the world his last great performance.

Six years after his last appearance Costello made an unlikely return to the prize ring, a campaign that saw him win nine straight over an extended period of seven years, culminating with a split decision verdict over faded remnants of former WBC featherweight champion Juan La Porte. After having fought his last professional prizefight at age 43, he walked away from the ring for good in 1999.

In the years after his career as a championship boxer, Costello worked as a construction contractor. His evenings were often spent as the volunteer director of the Police Athletic League in Kingston, the very place where he first got his start with boxing. Periodically, he would moonlight as a professional fight judge and referee in New York State, over the years officiating many sanctioned bouts.

Billy Costello’s life can accurately be encapsulated as a story of one man’s determination to succeed in the face of dissent, overcoming the odds and doubts of those around him. Known throughout the sport as a class act and good guy, his time on this planet ended far too abruptly. Father of three, respected among his peers and appreciated by fans around the world, Billy Costello passed away last Wednesday, June 29th at age 55 after losing his battle with lung cancer. His career record was 40-2, 23 KO’s. RSR sends out its heartfelt condolences to those that loved him that he so suddenly left behind.

Billy Costello
Division: Light Welterweight
Professional Record: 40-2, 23 KO’s

Date Opponent Location Result

1999-06-18 Juan La Porte Fayetteville, US W SD 10

1997-01-22 Marvin Ladson Raleigh, US W TKO 3

1995-05-31 Tim Scott Raleigh, US W PTS 10
1995-04-28 Jeff Passero Westbury, US W TKO 10

1994-09-13 Bobby Elkins Westbury, US W KO 6
1994-01-28 Robert Hightower Kingston, US W PTS 10

1993-11-11 Bernard Boisvert Melville, US W TKO 6
1993-06-18 Juan Carlos Romero White Plains, US W PTS 8

1992-06-27 Marvin Ladson Miami, US W TKO 3

1986-02-09 Alexis Arguello Reno, US L TKO 4

1985-12-13 Rick Kaiser Kingston, US W KO 2
1985-08-21 Lonnie Smith New York, US L TKO 8
WBC Light Welterweight Title
1985-02-16 Leroy Haley Kingston, US W UD 12
WBC Light Welterweight Title

1984-11-03 Saoul Mamby Kingston, US W UD 12
WBC Light Welterweight Title
1984-07-15 Ronnie Shields Kingston, US W UD 12
WBC Light Welterweight Title
1984-01-29 Bruce Curry Beaumont, US W TKO 10
WBC Light Welterweight Title

1983-12-21 Mike Essett Syracuse, US W KO 4
1983-09-30 Clemente Rojas Kingston, US W TKO 5
1983-04-16 Carl Crowley Kingston, US W TKO 3

1982-11-07 Willie Rodriguez Kingston, US W UD 10
1982-10-08 Dominic Fox Kingston, US W KO 2
1982-05-23 Felix Favella Las Vegas, US W TKO 3
1982-04-14 Bob Harvey White Plains, US W PTS 10
1982-02-17 Raul Hernandez White Plains, US W TKO 6

1981-12-05 Chico Rosa Atlantic City, US W TKO 1
1981-07-18 Rosendo Ramirez Las Vegas, US W PTS 8
1981-04-24 Trevor Evelyn White Plains, US W TKO 5
1981-03-18 Marvin Jenkins White Plains, US W UD 10
1981-01-21 Charles Thomas White Plains, US W KO 2

1980-10-24 Orlando Montalvo Uniondale, US W PTS 8
1980-10-02 Jose Green Commack, US W TKO 5
1980-09-17 Paul Moore White Plains, US W TKO 1
1980-05-14 Richie Sienni White Plains, US W PTS 6
1980-05-04 Richie Garland Kiamesha Lake, US W TKO 5
1980-04-16 Kato Ali White Plains, US W TKO 3
1980-02-13 Kato Ali White Plains, US W PTS 6

1979-12-05 Marvin Edwards White Plains, US W TKO 1
1979-10-26 George Casher New York, US W PTS 4
1979-10-19 John Jones Commack, US W TKO 2
1979-10-12 Dave Bolden Uniondale, US W PTS 4
1979-09-12 Jose Gonzalez White Plains, US W KO 3
1979-08-22 Angel Ortiz New York, US W UD 4