Fallen fighter
Other tributes included: Ring sensation Amir Khan: “Send my condolences to Mike Towell’s family. Rip champ.”
Frank Bruno: “Devastating news... RIP Mike Towell, sincere condolences to his family.”
Former Celtic striker John Hartson: “Sad to hear the news of Mike Towell’s passing. killed doing the sport that he loved. RIP Mike.”
Premiership footballer Charlie Adam: “Sad news that Dundee boxer Mike Towell has passed away. RIP.”
Boxer turned pundit and trainer Barry McGuigan: “My deepest sympathies and prayers to the family of Dundee boxer MikeTowell RIP. Very sad for all involved.” THE death of Mike Towell has reignited the discussion about the dangers of boxing.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has long led calls for the sport to banned, pointing to a catalogue of injuries including brain damage, acute brain haemorrhage, and eye, ear and nose damage.
But the sport’s governing bodies claim they have made great strides to improve safety.
All fighters undergo medical checks before a fight and annual brain scans are compulsory for all boxers who apply for a British Boxing Board of Control licence.
On the fight night, there are two medical officers at ringside.
Much of the focus
Current heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua: “Sad to hear the news. Thoughts go out to his loved ones.”
Iain Wilson, owner of St Andrew’s Sporting Club, said: “He wasn’t just a fighter at our club, he was my friend and a special heart-and-soul guy.
“I was with the family through the night after the fight, they a re heartbroken. Everyone at the club shares their grief.
“We have lost one of our favourite sons and boxing has lost an explosive talent, but the biggest loss of all is for the Towell family. We will rally round them now to do all we can.”
Evans is yet to comment on his opponent’s death, but described Towell before a fight is on the weigh-in with boxing critics claiming that fighters go to extreme and unhealthy lengths to reach their fight weight, such as not eating or drinking properly.
The boxing authorities moved the weight-time from the day of the fight to 36 hours before any clash to try to address this issue. as a “true warrior” in a statement issued after he was taken to hospital.
Promoter Eddie Hearn and Alex Morrison, manager of WBO lightwelterweight Ricky Burns, have joined forces to raise funds for the Mike’s family.
They are organising a collection when Burns defends his title at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on Friday.
Boxing veteran Ricky Hatton MBE has also set up a JustGiving fund to raise £20,000 for Towell’s family.
On the page, which generated almost £ 7000 within an hour, he wrote: “Mike Towell lost his life doing either what he loved or looking after his family – or both. Let’s make sure they are looked after.”