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Boxing star found dead by manager | Boxing star found dead by manager |
(10 minutes later) | |
A medal-winning Irish Olympic boxer has been found dead by his manager at his flat in Bromley, south London. | A medal-winning Irish Olympic boxer has been found dead by his manager at his flat in Bromley, south London. |
Darren Sutherland, 27, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, was discovered on Monday by Frank Maloney. | Darren Sutherland, 27, who won a bronze medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, was discovered on Monday by Frank Maloney. |
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed the death of Sutherland, who was found hanged, was not being treated as suspicious. | A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed the death of Sutherland, who was found hanged, was not being treated as suspicious. |
Irish Sports Minister Martin Cullen said: "Ireland has lost a sportsman of wonderful ability." | Irish Sports Minister Martin Cullen said: "Ireland has lost a sportsman of wonderful ability." |
He added: "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. | He added: "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. |
He was an excellent fighter and he was a gentleman outside the ring as well James DeGale | He was an excellent fighter and he was a gentleman outside the ring as well James DeGale |
"It takes work, effort, desire and dedication to be a champion - qualities Darren had in abundance." | "It takes work, effort, desire and dedication to be a champion - qualities Darren had in abundance." |
Mr Cullen said Sutherland had grabbed the challenge of turning pro with great enthusiasm. | Mr Cullen said Sutherland had grabbed the challenge of turning pro with great enthusiasm. |
"Ireland has lost a sportsman of wonderful ability, a clever and popular man with a future of real potential," he said. "His early death deprives us of a magnificent talent." | "Ireland has lost a sportsman of wonderful ability, a clever and popular man with a future of real potential," he said. "His early death deprives us of a magnificent talent." |
Sutherland had trained with Brendan Ingle in Sheffield while in his teens but gave up the sport. | Sutherland had trained with Brendan Ingle in Sheffield while in his teens but gave up the sport. |
ANALYSIS Austin O'Callaghan, BBC Northern Ireland sports reporter "Any professional fighter will tell you that being a pro can be a lonely existence at times. | |
"When you're an amateur you're always travelling with a team and surrounded by people. | "When you're an amateur you're always travelling with a team and surrounded by people. |
"Darren was such a positive, warm guy - the life and soul of the party. | "Darren was such a positive, warm guy - the life and soul of the party. |
"He just attracted people to him and always seemed to have a positive outlook on life, which makes this news all the more tragic." | "He just attracted people to him and always seemed to have a positive outlook on life, which makes this news all the more tragic." |
He returned to the ring in 2004 while studying sports science at Dublin City University. | He returned to the ring in 2004 while studying sports science at Dublin City University. |
After his success in Beijing, the fighter turned professional and joined the Maloney camp, winning his first fight in Dublin last December by knockout. | After his success in Beijing, the fighter turned professional and joined the Maloney camp, winning his first fight in Dublin last December by knockout. |
Britain's Olympic middleweight champion James DeGale, who beat Sutherland in Beijing, spoke of his shock at the Irishman's death. | Britain's Olympic middleweight champion James DeGale, who beat Sutherland in Beijing, spoke of his shock at the Irishman's death. |
"It is very, very sad news - I just can't believe it," he said. | "It is very, very sad news - I just can't believe it," he said. |
"It is a tragedy. First and foremost, my heart goes out to his family. I just could not believe it; my heart went to the floor when I heard. | "It is a tragedy. First and foremost, my heart goes out to his family. I just could not believe it; my heart went to the floor when I heard. |
"He was a big part of my Olympic medal journey. I just do not know what to say except he was a brilliant fighter, in fact an excellent fighter. He was a gentleman outside the ring as well. | "He was a big part of my Olympic medal journey. I just do not know what to say except he was a brilliant fighter, in fact an excellent fighter. 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." | "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." |
Phenomenal talent | Phenomenal talent |
Former world champion Barry McGuigan: "It is an absolute tragedy. I would describe Darren as a phenomenal talent. | Former world champion Barry McGuigan: "It is an absolute tragedy. I would describe Darren as a phenomenal talent. |
"I believe he would have become a world champion in the professional ranks one day." | "I believe he would have become a world champion in the professional ranks one day." |
In a statement, Mr Maloney said Sutherland's death was very sad and unexpected and a tragedy for Ireland and the world of boxing. | In a statement, Mr Maloney said Sutherland's death was very sad and unexpected and a tragedy for Ireland and the world of boxing. |
"At this sad time my thoughts are with Darren's family," he said. | "At this sad time my thoughts are with Darren's family," he said. |