Kingston, Ulster County

Billy Costello (1956-2011) was a native of Kingston, New York who became a boxing world champion. Costello took up boxing at the relatively late age of 19, but showed quickly that he was a natural fighter. He won the New York Golden Gloves championship in 1978 and turned professional a year later, winning his first 30 fights. In 1984 Costello became the undefeated WBC light welterweight champion with a technical knockout of Bruce Curry. He successfully defended his title three times against Ronnie Shields, Saoul Mamby and Leroy Haley, before losing his fourth title defense to the undefeated Lonnie Smith. He left boxing in 1986 with a loss to Alexis Arguello, but returned in 1992 for nine more fights, all victories, before retiring for good in 1999. After a 20-year career, Costello retired with an impressive record of 40 wins, 2 defeats, with both defeats coming at the hands of world champions.

Billy Costello is fondly remembered in his native Kingston, for his humble beginnings, for notably holding three of his championship fights in his hometown, for setting up the local boxing program with the Kingston Police Athletic League, and ultimately for his toughness and dedication to the sport. The statue of Costello is prominently located at a busy intersection in that city for all those who pass to remember his athletic greatness. The life-sized, white granite statue was dedicated in 2012, only a year after his passing. The dedication ceremony was well attended by family, local residents, boxing fans and local dignitaries.