The Welshman who defeated Dundee boxer Mike Towell in his final, fatal fight has admitted he is scared to return to the ring.
“Iron” Mike Towell collapsed after his fifth round loss to Dale Evans in a British title eliminator at the St Andrews Sporting Club in September.
The 25-year-old was given medical treatment in the ring before being taken to hospital but died 24 hours later.
Evans has said if he wins the British Welterweight Title he will bring it to Dundee for Towell’s family.
But he said he fears he could also lose his life in the ring.
In an interview with a national newspaper he said: “It comes into my mind from time to time. It’s so horrible.
“It’s this thing of my girlfriend and my mum, there at the ringside. What if I end up on that stretcher in front of them? What if they never see me again? I find myself worrying about that.”
He added: “You just can’t think like that as a boxer, but I’ve seen it with Mike. He left a girlfriend, Chloe, without a boyfriend, a two-year-old son without a daddy and a mum without a son. I’ve seen the realities.”
Evans said he was left numb by what happened after September’s fight.
“I would lie in bed, picturing his little boy without a daddy,” he said.
“I felt responsible. We know the risks but I threw the punches. My missus hadn’t seen me cry in three years and suddenly I just couldn’t stop.”
Evans travelled to Dundee for Towell’s funeral and admits he was scared by the reaction he would receive.
“But I was shocked by how supporting and lovely people were to me,” he said.
“His mum was getting in a car but she saw me and came over and gave me this big hug and a kiss.
“I was struggling to keep it together and she was saying to stop being silly. I can’t tell you how much I respect her and the whole family.
“I had no right to be there but they were trying to make me feel better. If they hated me I would have understood but what lovely people.”
Evans will make his comeback this month when he takes on Tony Dixon for the Welsh welterweight title and said he wants to claim the British title in honour of Towell.
“It won’t bring him back but it’s the best that I can do,” he said.
Evans also criticised David Haye for his comments this week about “caving in” Tony Bellew’s skull when they fight this week.
