Scottish boxer, Mike Towell
Scottish boxer Mike Towell has died in hospital after being seriously injured in a bout on Thursday.
The 25-year-old, from Dundee, was rushed to hospital after a fifth-round loss to Welsh fighter Dale Evans in a St Andrews Sporting Club fight at Glasgow's Radisson Blu Hotel.
Towell's partner, Chloe Ross, said he "fought right to the end". His management said he passed away with his family at his bedside.
St Andrews Sporting Club confirmed Towell's death in a tweet on Saturday morning.
"Within the last hour Mike Towell passed away - he will always be in our hearts #RIPIronMike," it said.
'Headaches before fight'
In a Facebook post, Ms Ross said Towell died "peacefully" shortly after 23:00 BST on Friday, 12 hours after he was taken off life support.
"I'm absolutely heartbroken to say my annoying best friend passed away tonight at 11.02 very peacefully," she wrote.
"Michael had severe bleeding and swelling to his brain.
"He had been complaining of headaches for the last few weeks but we put it down to migraines with the stress of his fight.
"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 added: "Once he was taken off of his life support he managed 12 hours, 12 whole rounds off his life support, he fought right to the end and he's done us all so proud... He left doing the thing he's best at... there's only one."
Towell was knocked down in the first round of the fight before recovering to continue the match.
Referee Victor Loughlin stopped the fight in the fifth round shortly after Towell was knocked down by Caernarfon fighter Evans for a second time.
He received treatment in the ring and was given oxygen before being taken to an ambulance on a stretcher.
Towell's family are understood to have been joined by his manager, Tommy Gilmour, during his final hours.
Mr Gilmour said the world of boxing had lost both a top fighter and a "very special man", and described him as one of the best he had ever worked with.
'Iron Mike'
He said: "He was Iron Mike to the end, he kept fighting till the last, and we have lost an exciting boxer but, more importantly, a very special man.
"I am devastated and all my thoughts are with Mike's mum Tracey, his partner Chloe and their little son Rocco.
"He was one of the greatest characters I have worked with, I came away from every phone call or chat we had smiling and shaking my head in bewilderment."
Iain Wilson, owner of St Andrew's Sporting Club, who was with Towell and his family following the fight, added: "He wasn't just a fighter at our club, he was my friend and a special heart-and-soul guy.
"I was with the family through the night after the fight, they are heartbroken and everyone at the club shares their grief.
"We have lost one of our favourite sons and boxing has lost an explosive talent but the biggest loss of all is for the Towell family. We will rally round them now to do all we can."
Trainer Shane McGuigan said on Twitter: "Heartbreaking news that Mike Towell has lost his life. May he rest in peace, thoughts go out to his loved ones. #RIP"
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: "Absolutely devastated by the passing of Mike Towell - all of our thoughts with his friends and family at this time."
The boxer had been undefeated going into Thursday's fight, with 11 previous wins and one draw on his professional record.
-BBC
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