Boxing world champion ringside tribute to Mike Towell
Boxing world champion Tony Bellew paid a touching tribute to Dundee boxer Mike Towell ahead of his WBC cruiserweight title defence on Saturday night.
Bellew entered the ring and revealed a t-shirt with the words "RIP Mike Towell" printed above and below a picture of the man known as 'Iron Mike', who died last month after suffering a brain injury in the ring.
The Liverpool boxer went on to retain his world championship belt with a third round stoppage against American BJ Flores.
Fight fans described Bellew's tribute as a "touch of class".
Speaking ahead of the fight, Bellew - who starred with Sylvester Stallone in the boxing movie Creed - said Mike Towell's death was heartbreaking.
He said: "It just broke my heart to read the statement Mike’s missus wrote about him passing away, that he died doing what he loved doing.
"Of course, news like that makes my family tell me to get out while I can and that’s especially true with someone like me. They know how much I push myself to the absolute limit.
"If I'm brutally honest, it's my biggest fear, I frighten myself by how far I'm willing to go, but what can you do? This is all I can do, this is all I know."
Mike's funeral was held in Dundee on Friday, with more than 400 mourners turning out to what his family described as a "celebration of his life".
Dozens of mourners entered the cathedral in specially made t-shirts and hoodies with the words "Iron Mike", "Dundee's Champ" printed on them alongside pictures of Mike in action.
Mike is survived by partner Chloe Ross and their two-year-old son, Rocco.
The 25-year-old died following a bout at the Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow, screened live on STV on Thursday September 29.
He was knocked down in the first round but battled back before being knocked out in the fifth round.
He received treatment in the ring and was given oxygen before being taken to an ambulance on a stretcher.
Mike - who had 11 wins and one draw from his 12 fights prior to taking on Evans - was rushed to hospital following the St Andrew's Sporting Club fight.
He was placed in intensive care but died the following day.