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Dale Evans announces retirement from boxing

Mike Towell suffered a brain injury in a bout with Evans in September 2016 and died the next day.

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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.

“After some time out and questioning if I would fight again, a big fight was offered,” Evans, 26, said after being offered a European title opportunity.

“As always I jumped at it. But the spark, the hunger and the determination wasn’t there.

“Just worry and fear, I’ll openly admit.

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

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 – Battle of Brum – Barclaycard Arena
Dale Evans was trained by former WBU middleweight champion Gary Lockett (Nick Potts/PA)

After Towell’s death he had vowed to win a British title in the Scot’s honour.

“Maybe I set the bar a bit high for myself or maybe I wasn’t as good as I thought I was, I don’t know,” he posted on his personal Twitter account.

“Boxing has been a big part of my life – it was my life.

“I haven’t achieved what I’d have like to, but I done alright I guess.”

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