Boxer Mike Towell’s death following a fight in Glasgow will not bring about a ban for the sport.

But the British Medical Association is right to point to the brain damage done by blows to the head – think rugby, mixed martial arts and even football.

The increase in concussions to rugby players is alarming, while we are learning more about the effects in old age of footballers having headed a ball over many years, not to say the damage done by the clashing of skulls during games.

The NFL, American football’s governing body, has already paid £589 million to ex-players with dementia linked to repeated head injuries.

So much for the protection their helmets are supposed to provide.

We must not, of course, discount the plain truth boxing is all about landing blows to the head and body of an opponent, a kind of legalised assault and battery – with rules.

Apparently, Towell had complained of headaches before his final, brutal bout against Dale Evans.

It would not have occurred to Towell to withdraw from the contest, a British welterweight eliminator – a boxer doesn’t pull out from a fight because of a migraine.

Was his wish not to disappoint his manager or the promoter of the St Andrew’s Sporting Club’s show, or the dinner-suited audience who quaff alcohol during the fights and place bets on the gladiators?

There is a barbaric and unpalatable stench to this aspect of professional boxing where young men set out to damage each other for the edification of paying customers while promoters – I can’t think of any who have boxed – count their cash.

In time, participation in many sports deemed bad for your health will dwindle into insignificance as youngsters settle for the on-screen animated versions of them.

Slogans need humour

Do political slogans matter?

You see them on the front of lecterns at party conferences.

This time round we had the Conservatives telling us they’re aiming for “a country that works for everyone”.

Original? Or did they tweak that from last year’s Liberal Democrat gathering, which wanted “opportunity for everyone”?

I’d quite like to see a bit more humour in these efforts.

“Thanks for turning up” would be my slogan.