TRIBUTES TO BOXER WHO DIED AFTER BOUT WITH WELSH FIGHTER
TRIBUTES have been paid to a boxer who died after being critically injured during a bout with Welshman Dale Evans. The heartbroken partner of Scottish fighter Mike Towell said he “fought right to the end” before succumbing to an injury suffered in a televised fight with Evans, from St Clears in Carmarthenshire.
The 25-year-old had to be stretchered from the ring after a fifthround loss to Evans in a St Andrews Sporting Club fight in Glasgow on Thursday night.
The young father, from Dundee, was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe bleeding and swelling to his brain.
Towell’s partner Chloe Ross said she was “absolutely heartbroken” to announce that he passed away peacefully shortly after 11pm on Friday evening, 12 hours after he was taken off life support.
Evans is yet to comment on his opponent’s death, but described Towell as a “true warrior” in a statement issued after he was taken to hospital.
He said: “The ingredients were there for an entertaining fight and it was that,” he said.
“We are both punchers and so sadly for Mike he came out the wrong side.
“He is such a fantastic fighter, you are happy to win but all I wanted to do was get the victory. Not this.
“I never wanted to see my opponent being stretchered out of the ring. Who would ever want that sight?
“That was so hard for his family and my heart goes out to them.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere and I got applauded out after all that happened, and that sums up the knowledge of the fans at the St Andrews Sporting Club and the Scottish people.
“I just want people to know that every thought I have today is with Mike Towell’s family.
“He is a true warrior who has brought such excitement to Scottish boxing.”
According to Ms Ross, the welterweight had been complaining of migraines in the run-up to the fight but put it down to stress.
In an emotional Facebook post she said it had been “the longest 24 hours of our lives”.
She wrote: “I’m absolutely heartbroken to say my annoying best friend passed away tonight at 11.02 very peacefully.
“Michael had severe bleeding and swelling to his brain. He had been complaining of headaches for the last few weeks but we put it down to migraines with the stress of his fight. “My baby has lost his daddy. But he will be so so proud of his dad in what he achieved.” Towell’s family were at the boxer’s bedside in his final hours and are understood to have been joined by his manager, Tommy Gilmour. Ms Ross said: “Once he was taken off of his life support he managed 12 hours, 12 whole rounds off his life support, he fought right to the end and he’s done us all so proud. “He left doing the thing he’s best at ... there’s only one.” The couple had been together for more than eight years and had a young son, Rocco. As news of the tragedy emerged members of the boxing community paid tribute to the sportsman, known as “Iron Mike Towell”. Trainer Shane McGuigan said on Twitter: “Heartbreaking news that Mike Towell has lost his life. May he rest in peace, thoughts go out to his loved ones. £RIP” Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “Absolutely devastated by the passing of Mike Towell – all of our thoughts with his friends and family.” Greg Menzies, head coach at Dundee Boxing Club, said Towell would be sadly missed.
He told the Press Association: “We’re obviously devastated for him and his family. It’s a small community so everybody’s really shocked.
“He was a really nice guy, always winding up people in a good way.
“He was a really good guy and he’ll be certainly missed. A lot of guys in our gym are gutted, as even though he was maybe from another club, he was still a Dundee guy and he trained at every gym and he got on with everybody.
“He was one of Dundee’s top boxers so he was an inspiration for the young kids. We’re all gutted.”
Boxing veteran Ricky Hatton has set up a JustGiving fund to raise £20,000 for Towell’s family.
On the page, which generated almost £7,000 within an hour, he wrote: “Mike Towell lost his life doing either what he loved or looking after his family – or both.
“A young boy and partner are left behind let’s make sure they are looked after.”
The event at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, was being broadcast on STV Glasgow.
The boxer had been undefeated going into Thursday’s fight, with 11 previous wins and one draw, and the bout was an eliminator for the British welterweight title.
The bout was refereed by Victor Loughlin, who was also in charge of the British middleweight title fight in March between Chris Eubank and Nick Blackwell, which ended the latter’s career after he suffered a bleed on the skull.