Welsh boxer Dale Evans comforted by family at funeral of opponent Mike Towell

Credit: SWNS

Welsh boxer Dale Evans has attended the funeral of his opponent Mike Towell - who died after a boxing match between the pair.

The 25-year-old died in hospital the day after he was stretchered from the ring at the end of a fifth-round loss to Evans on Thursday 29 September.

Around 300 people attended the service, led by Reverend Kevin Golden.

Friends and family hugged outside the cathedral at the end of the funeral before travelling to Birkhill Cemetery in Dundee where Towell is to be laid to rest.

Evans later posted a picture on Twitter of himself beside the mural created in memory of Towell.

He added the message "RIP Iron Mike".

Nick Blackwell, who retired from boxing earlier this year after he had to be put in a medically-induced coma at the end of a British title bout, also travelled to Scotland for the funeral.

Many people wore hoodies with Iron Mike Towell written on the back. Credit: SWNS

The young father, from Dundee, was diagnosed with severe bleeding and swelling to his brain but survived for 12 hours after being removed from life support at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

His family called for the funeral at St Andrews Cathedral in his home town to be a "celebration of his life" and asked mourners not to wear black or red, as Towell did not like the colour.

Many friends and members of his boxing club arrived at the funeral wearing white T-shirts with a picture of Towell celebrating a win on them, with "Iron Mike Towell" written on the back.

Tributes poured in for Towell from famous boxers in the days after his death.Former world champion Ricky Hatton set up an online fundraiser to support Towell's family which has surpassed £45,000.

A statement from the Towell family released before the funeral said: "We will always mourn losing him but we hope everyone takes time to remember the enjoyment and the smiles he brought into their lives."

Towell had been undefeated going into the bout - which was an eliminator for the British welterweight title - with 11 previous wins and one draw on his professional record.

It was revealed following his death that Towell had been complaining of headaches in the run-up to the fight, but his management said they were not aware of any issues.