Darren Sutherland: South London-Based Olympic Boxer: R.I.P.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Olympic boxer found dead at home

An Olympic medal-winning boxer found dead at his home was a "brilliant fighter" with "his whole life to look forward to", gold medallist James DeGale said.

Darren Sutherland, 27, who won middleweight bronze for Ireland at the Beijing Games before turning professional, was found hanged in his south London flat.

DeGale, who beat Sutherland at the Beijing Olympics, said: "He was a brilliant fighter, in fact an excellent fighter, and he was a gentleman outside the ring as well.

"He had an Olympic bronze medal and his whole life to look forward to. He had a great future and my heart goes out to everyone who knew him. It is a tragedy. First and foremost my heart goes out to his family." DeGale added: "It is very, very sad news - I just can't believe it. My heart went to the floor when I heard. He was a big part of my Olympic medal journey and it is just terrible."

Sutherland was discovered dead in his flat in Bromley, south London, by his manager Frank Maloney. Maloney described the highly regarded fighter's death as a tragedy for Ireland and the world of boxing. "It is very sad and unexpected," Maloney said. "At this sad time my thoughts are with Darren's family and I hope their privacy at this very difficult time will be respected by the media."

Sutherland was one of the leading lights on the Irish boxing scene in the four years before Beijing and regarded as one of the best talents to emerge from the Irish Sports Council's high performance unit.

Ireland's Minster for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen offered condolences to Sutherland's family.

"The death of Darren is a great personal loss to them and to his many friends," the minister said. "The tremendous effort and determination of this young man brought immense pride to Ireland in Beijing in 2008 when he joined a very select group of men who have won an Olympic medal for Ireland. It takes work, effort, desire and dedication to be a champion - qualities Darren had in abundance."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Sutherland was pronounced dead after being found in his flat and his death is not being treated as suspicious.

R.I.P.Darren.

[Eliza.D]

I have to confess I have never heard of Darren Sutherland, but reading what you have said he had a glowing future ahead of him and it is very sad that at such a young age he has died.

A suicide is a terrible way to loose a loved one and my deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends who must all be feeling a deep sense of shock and bewilderment.

I know they will probably not see this but there is an organisation called 'SOBS' who can support those who have had someone close to them take their own life.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Indeed Eliza.

Terribly sad.