Biography

World Boxing Council light welterweight champion (1984-1985).

He fought many times in Kingston, New York where there is now a Billy Costello Gym in his honor and at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.

He won the Golden Gloves Championship in 1978 and became a professional in 1979.

He is survived by his mother Dolores Costello and William Costello Sr.; his daughter, Christine Costello and son, Brandon Costello from his former marriage to Jane; three brothers, Stephen, Mario, and Anthony; and two sisters, Vicky Costello and Tammy Costello Moody.

He was one of nine children to an African American father and Asian Indian mother in Kingston, New York.

[on fighting Bruce Curry] I looked across the ring and I said to myself, I'm here. People put me down all my life, but I'm here.

[on boxing] They had some boxing equipment in the gym and I figured, why not try it? One day on the heavy bag and it was like God saying to me, this is what you're supposed to do.

[on playing baseball] 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 that before.

[on his African American/Asian Indian heritage] 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.