Kingston, Ulster County

Inspirational quotes by Billy Costello, Kingston native and WBC light welterweight boxing champion from January 29, 1984 to August 21, 1985.

“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.”

“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.”

“I looked across the ring and I said to myself, I’m here. People put me down all my life, but I’m here.” – Billy Costello talks of his mindset on January 29, 1984 as he entered the ring for his title fight with Bruce Curry in Beaumont, Texas. Costello knocked out Curry in the 10th round to win the WBC light welterweight title.