BoxRec

Welsh boxer Dale Evans has made the decision to hang up his gloves at the tender age of 26.



The former two-time British title challenger was involved in a tragic fight with Mike Towell in September 2016, which resulted in the death of the Scotsman following a fifth round stoppage in Glasgow.

"My boxing days are over," Evans confirmed.

"I've had a rollercoaster of a career, never backed out of a fight, didn't care about the unbeaten record, I just got on with it in order to earn a few quid for myself.

"I worked alongside the boxing for the majority of my career because the money was never great.

"After walking into a boxing gym at the age of nine and turning professional at 19, boxing has been a big part of my life - it WAS my life.

"I haven't achieved what I'd have liked to, but I did alright, I guess. 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.

"Either way, at 26, I thought the boxing would get me a house and I'd be moved into my own place by now (but) it didn't.

"After some time out and questioning myself whether I'd fight again, a big fight was offered to me a few weeks ago.

"As always, I jumped at it! But the spark, the hunger and determination wasn't there. Just worry and fear (and) I'll openly admit. So that's why I've made the decision I have.

"I'm so, so grateful for every single person who paid for tickets to come and support me, gave up their weekends to travel across the country to watch me fight. It's something that will stick with me forever.

"I'm blessed to have such great people around me. And also a big thank you to all sponsors who got behind me from day one.

"Especially Castle Scaffolding who supported me financially for my final year," he added.

Leaving behind a 13-4-2 record, Evans - who got married in the summer of 2017 - steps away with the best wishes of everyone involved in the sport after giving everything during a career which never really hit the heights he wanted.

Boxing is a cruel game, a hard working and dedicated fighter like Dale cant make any money from the sport and is involved in that Tragic fight in Scotland on top. I cant help but feel like Dale has experienced all the lows which the sport has to offer without many highs at all.

I will always remember the fight he had with Sam Eggington in Brum a few years ago. He was as game as a badger and hit hard.

Good luck to Dale

Good luck with retirement

Solid pro. Nice to see him hang them up at the right time for himself. The tragedy with Towell must of taken a lot out of him mentally. Wish him all the best

All the best. Hopefully he finds some peace in retirement.

I don’t know him seems a good fella and sensible knowing when enough is enough anyone that gets in there I take my Hat off to..

I wish him all the best in retirement , he always gave his all and carried himself well in the circumstances after the Towell fight

First saw him in prizefighter at wolvo and sat with his family and mrs( very fit). They were lovely. Can b proud of his career took fights at short notice and gave his all. Shame he never had the financial backing to allow him the best preparation.

Id like to see him back at some point.Take a few years out if anything because hes got so much more to give.Its unbelievable that hes only 26 years old.

Best of luck Dale

thought he was very unlucky not to win the prizefighter final he was in, was hurting foot to the body throughout

have a good retirement!

Wishing him all the best.

Sad to hear of a promising boxer retiring. But with everything that happened, I don't think anyone could fault him.
The mental and emotional stress that sort of thing can do to a person is life changing, having that doubt and thought of 'what if' at the back of your mind when you're trying to give a sport your all could end up with him putting his own life at risk.

He's achieved more then most in a 7 year career though:
*Prize fighter finalist.
*2 time British welterweight title challenger
*1 time Commonwealth welterweight Title challenger

And on top of that he managed to knock down Eggington in their title fight and despite the loss neither Eggington or Skeete could put Evans down.
He's done enough to be proud of and well done to him for calling it a career when he wanted to.

I think amateur boxing is great for young people but unless you are a really decent heavyweight, are one of the very best amateurs in the world, or know for a fact you'll shift hundreds of tickets consistently, knock it on the head at 18 and get a job or study,

All the best to Dale.

Really annoys me due to the way 'the business' works people like Evans always have/had it stacked against them. If only he was out certain trendy area's/gyms a big promoter would have backed him early and I'm sure it would have been different.

Was at the Eggington fight, as a Eggington fan he gave me some worrying times in a really good fight.

All the best to him in retirement.