Former two-weight world boxing champion Ricky Hatton has helped raise more than £25,000 in a matter of hours for the family of boxer Mike Towell.
Towell died in hospital after suffering serious head injuries during his welterweight bout with Dale Evans, prompting Hatton to establish a crowdfunding page in aid of the Dundee boxer’s partner and young son.
And at the time of writing, barely 24 hours after ‘The Hitman’ started out the fund with a £5,000 donation of his own, the initial £20,000 target has been comfortably surpassed.
Here is a page.im in for £5000 https://t.co/a1DWyts0rU
— Ricky Hatton MBE (@HitmanHatton) October 1, 2016
The boxing world has come together in paying tribute to Towell, with Nick Blackwell – who retired this year after being placed into an induced coma following a British title fight against Chris Eubank Jr – among those to offer sympathies to the Dundonian’s family.
The worst possible news. RIP mike towell😣😤 pic.twitter.com/hTZjPvCLGq
— NICK BLACKWELL (@nickblackwell02) October 1, 2016
Nathan Cleverly, who became a two-time world champion with victory over Jürgen Brähmer in Germany last night, dedicated his victory to Towell.
“First and foremost my condolences go out to the family and friends of Mike Towell, who tragically lost his life, God bless,” he is quoted as saying by the Mirror.
And Chloe Ross, Towell’s partner and the mother of his child, thanked those who contributed to the crowdfunding efforts, saying ‘He will be so happy all his boxing heroes know who he is, just the wrong circumstances’.
The message on Hatton’s crowdfunding page reads as follows:
‘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’
You can donate here.
