The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
First anniversary of ‘Iron’ Mike’s tragic death
ONE YEAR ON: Tributes paid as campaign for vital brain scanners continues
Tributes have been paid to fallen Dundee boxer “Iron” Mike Towell one year on from his tragic death.
The boxer died last September following a fight in Glasgow with Welshman Dale Evans.
His funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, who filled Dundee’s St Andrew’s Cathedral to pay their last respects to the 25-year-old.
Since his death, Mike’s partner, Chloe Ross, has campaigned tirelessly to raise funds to help purchase a pair of brain scanners to help care for boxers in Dundee and Stirling.
And the boxing world paused to remember their fellow competitor.
Legend Ricky Hatton took to Twitter to pay tribute.
The former world champion fighter said yesterday: “One year ago tomorrow this young man lost his life in the ring. Not forgotten. RIP young man.”
Mike’s final opponent, Dale Evans, said his thoughts are with the Towell family.
He said: “One year ago today, myself and this man were just trying to earn a living and chase our dreams. Thinking of all loved ones always.”
Family, friends and fans changed their social media profile picture to a shot of Mike to mark the anniversary.
It’s understood an investigation is currently being held into Mike’s death.
It has also been announced that a fatal accident inquiry will be held.
Meanwhile, efforts to improve safety for local boxers have raised more than £23,000.
Chloe said only £1,000 was now needed to reach the latest fundraising goal.
Ms Ross said she couldn’t have achieved this “without the help of all the generous people in this world”.
The £12,000 brain scanner devices The Iron Mike Towell Fund is striving to purchase can spot possible brain trauma at an early stage.
A three minute-long procedure emits infrared light into the head from eight different points.
It is hoped the scanners will prevent boxers from sustaining permanent brain damage by identifying trauma at an early stage.
The devices can detect damage during the so-called “golden hour” – the 60 minutes after a head injury where prehospital assessment is critical to the future neurological health of a patient.
Donations can be made at justgiving. com/crowdfunding/chloe-ross.