Dale Evans announces retirement

WELSHMAN Dale Evans, who was involved in a fatal fight with Mike Towell in 2016, has announced his retirement from boxing, saying he has lost his hunger for the sport.

Scottish fighter Towell suffered a brain injury in a bout with Evans in Glasgow 17 months ago.

The 25-year-old Towell was knocked out in the fifth round of the scheduled 12-round fight and died in hospital the following day.


โ€œAfter some time out and questioning if I would fight again, a big fight was offered,โ€ Evans, 26, said after being offered a European title opportunity.

โ€œAs always I jumped at it. But the spark, the hunger and the determination wasnโ€™t there.

โ€œJust worry and fear, Iโ€™ll openly admit.

mike towell funeral
Dale Evans is comforted after the funeral of his ring opponent Mike Towell (Jane Barlow/PA)

โ€œThatโ€™s why I have made the decision I have.โ€

Evans, from Carmarthenshire, turned professional in 2011 and was trained by former WBU middleweight champion Gary Lockett.

He suffered a British welterweight title loss to Bradley Skeete last July and retires with a record of 13 wins, four defeats and two draws.

boxing โ€“ battle of brum โ€“ barclaycard arena
Dale Evans was trained by former WBU middleweight championย Gary Lockett (Nick Potts/PA)

Evans fought just twice after the Towell tragedy, beating Kevin McCauley on points before losing a unanimous decision to Skeete.

After Towellโ€™s death he had vowed to win a British title in the Scotโ€™s honour.

โ€œMaybe I set the bar a bit high for myself or maybe I wasnโ€™t as good as I thought I was, I donโ€™t know,โ€ he posted on his personal Twitter account.

โ€œBoxing has been a big part of my life โ€“ it was my life.

โ€œI havenโ€™t achieved what Iโ€™d have like to, but I done alright I guess.โ€

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