JustGiving appeal for boxer Mike Towell hits £20,000

A fundraising appeal for the family of boxer Mike Towell surpassed its £20,000 target in a matter of hours.

The JustGiving appeal, initiated by former professional fighter Ricky Hatton on Saturday, was set up to support Towell's partner and young son.

On the JustGiving page, Hatton 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. Give what you can. Let's see if we can smash the £20,000".

By 10.30pm, the target had been passed.

Brain injury association Headway has expressed its sadness over the death of Scottish boxer Mike Towell.

Peter McCabe, chief executive of Headway, said the charity was "deeply saddened" about the death of the "young father in the prime of his life".

"Our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time," he said.

"Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. It is another in a long line of boxing tragedies where lives have been lost or irreparably damage as a result of brain injury.

“Only recently, fellow boxing Nick Blackwell was left in a coma following a bout with Chris Eubank Jnr. After that fight, we repeated our concerns that more young men and women are risking their lives by taking part in boxing."

Mr McCabe added: "How many more lives have to be damaged or lost before this senseless sport is banned?”

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The partner of boxer Mike Towell said he "fought right to the end" before succumbing to an injury suffered in a televised bout.

Chloe Ross described herself as "absolutely heartbroken" at the loss of Towell, her partner of eight years, with who she has a young son.

In an emotional Facebook post, Ms Ross revealed Towell had suffered severe bleeding and swelling around the brain after his bout against Dale Evans on Thursday evening.

Towell died shortly past 11pm on Friday, having been taken off life support 12 hours before.

"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 wrote.

Tributes from around the boxing world have been paid to Mike Towell who died after suffering serious injuries during a bout.

The 25-year-old, dubbed "Iron Mike", passed away just a day after his fifth-round loss to Dale Evans at a St Andrews Sporting Club fight in Glasgow on Thursday.

St Andrews Sporting Club said Towell "will always be in our hearts".

Meanwhile, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn tweeted that he was "absolutely devastated" by Towell's death.

Former European champion Spencer Oliver also took to Twitter, writing: "So saddened to hear of the devastating news that Mike Towell has passed away, my thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends. #RIP x."

Scottish boxer Mike Towell has died in hospital after suffering serious injuries during a bout on Thursday night.

The 25-year-old suffered a fifth-round loss to Dale Evans, from Carmarthenshire, in a St Andrews Sporting Club fight at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, after which he was rushed to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Towell, from Dundee, had been undefeated going into the British welterweight title eliminator, with 11 previous wins and one draw on his professional record.

His management said on Friday he had passed away with his family at his bedside.

After the fight, opponent Evans described Towell as a "true warrior".