Scottish boxer Mike Towell has died in hospital after being seriously injured in a bout on Thursday, his management has said.
The 25-year-old, from Dundee, was rushed to hospital after a fifth-round loss to Dale Evans in a St Andrews Sporting Club fight at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel.
Towell’s partner, Chloe Ross, said he “fought right to the end”.
His management said he passed away with his family at his bedside.
St Andrews Sporting Club confirmed Towell’s death in a tweet on Saturday morning.
“Within the last hour Mike Towell passed away – he will always be in our hearts #RIPIronMike,” it said.
‘Absolutely heartbroken’
In a Facebook post, Ms Ross said Towell passed away peacefully shortly after 23:00 BST on Friday, 12 hours after he was taken off life support.
“I’m absolutely heartbroken to say my annoying best friend passed away tonight at 11.02 very peacefully,” she wrote.
“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.
“It has been the longest 24 hours of our lives. My baby has lost his daddy. But he will be so so proud of his dad in what he achieved.”
Ms Ross added: “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.”
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 at this time.”
Towell was knocked down in the first round of the fight, before recovering to continue the match.
Referee Victor Loughlin stopped the fight in the fifth round shortly after Towell was knocked down a second time.
He received treatment in the ring and was given oxygen before being taken to an ambulance on a stretcher.
The boxer had been undefeated going into Thursday’s fight, with 11 previous wins and one draw on his professional record.
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