‘He was Iron Mike to the end’
Fight boss Gilmour’s salute to tragic boxing star Towell
DEVASTATED boxing boss Tommy Gilmour yesterday described tragic fighter Mike Towell as one of the most special men he has worked with in more than 50 years in the sport.
The 25-year-old Dundee welterweight died on Friday evening 24 hours after being rushed to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital following his British title eliminator against Dale Evans at the St Andrew’s Sporting Club.
Gilmour said of ‘Iron Mike’, who collapsed in the ring after being stopped by Evans in the fifth round: ‘He was one of the greatest characters I have worked with.
‘I came away from every phone call or chat we had together smiling and shaking my head in bewilderment. Mike died doing what he loved best. He put so much into every part of his life, both inside and outside the ring.
‘He was Iron Mike to the end. He kept fighting till the last and we have lost an exciting boxer but, more importantly, a very special man.
‘I am devastated and all my thoughts are with Mike’s mum Tracey, his partner Chloe and their son Rocco.’
Gilmour, who managed Towell, also paid tribute to the British Boxing Board of Control medical team at ringside and hospital staff for their efforts to save the stricken fighter.
He also stressed that there was nothing more referee Victor Loughlin could have done to prevent the tragedy and added that no blame can be attributed to the official.
St Andrew’s Sporting Club owner Ian Wilson said: ‘We promoted nine of Mike’s 13 fights and boxing has lost an explosive talent.
‘But the biggest loss of all is for the Towell family. He was a special heart-and-soul guy.’
Welshman Evans, 24, said: ‘Mike was a true warrior and all my thoughts are with his family.
‘I never wanted to see my opponent being stretchered out of the ring and the aftermath of the fight is very hard to take in.’