Scottish boxer Mike Towell dies in hospital hours after he was knocked to the canvas

Scottish boxer Mike Towell has died after he was knocked to the canvas twice in a bout in Glasgow on Thursday night. Photo / Facebook

A week after Kiwi Neville Knight died at a corporate boxing event, a Scottish boxer has died after he was knocked to the canvas twice in a bout in Glasgow.

Fighter Mike Towell, 25, was taken from the ring on a stretcher in the fifth round of his welterweight title final eliminator with Dale Evans on Thursday night.

Towell, who had 11 wins and one draw from his 12 fights prior to taking on Evans, was knocked down by a left hook in the fifth after also hitting the canvas in the first following a brutal right hand.

Tributes have been pouring in for the Scottish fighter with boxing fans left 'absolutely heartbroken' while former European champion Spencer Oliver, Glasgow pro Joe Ham and former WBC Silver International lightweight champion Tommy Coyle have paid their respects online.

Wow Mike Towell may you rest in peace and know that every fighting man has nothing but respect for you.

— Tommy Coyle (@TommyCoyle89) September 30, 2016

Rip iron Mike towell! Cracking guy in and outside the ring 🙏

— Joe Ham (@joeham56) September 30, 2016

The fighter's manager Tommy Gilmour said Towell had suffered a 'serious injury' and was breathing via the use of a ventilator in hospital with his family by his bedside.

Sadly, he passed away.

The clash between Towell and Evans took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow and had been screened live on STV.

Evans took the upper hand almost immediately, knocking Towell to the canvas in the first round.

Towell got back to his feet and continued but after Evans landed more blows as the fight progressed, referee Victor Loughlin stepped in.

Loughlin stopped the bout in the fifth, Towell subsequently rushed to hospital with fears over his health.

Towell's boxing club St Andrews took to Twitter to pay tribute to their fighter, saying: Within the last hour Mike Towell passed away - he will always be in our hearts #RIPIronMike.'

Welshman Evans said he was "in bits" yesterday as Towell fought for his life.

"I am devastated and all my thoughts are with Mike and his family,' he said yesterday.

"He is such a fantastic fighter, you are happy to win but all I wanted to do was get the victory. Not this.

"I never wanted to see my opponent get stretchered out of the ring.

"Who would ever want to see that sight?

"That was so hard for his family and my heart goes out to them.

"He is a true warrior who has brought such excitement to Scottish boxing."

Boxing legend Barry McGuigan, just hours before Towell died, tweeted: "God be good to Mike the Dundee boxer who collapsed after his fight last night.

"My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."