Boxer Darren Sutherland found dead

[Dime Dropper]

Irish Olympic medal-winning boxer Darren Sutherland was found dead at home today by his manager.

The 27-year-old, who won bronze for Ireland at the 2008 Games in Beijing, was found dead at his flat in Bromley, south London, by Frank Maloney.

In a statement, the boxing promoter said: 'It is very sad and unexpected.


'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.

'It is a tragedy for Ireland and the world of boxing.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Sutherland was pronounced dead at just after 3pm. His death is not being treated as suspicious. His family have been informed.

The fighter made his professional debut in Dublin last December, winning by a knockout.
Sutherland won a bronze medal for Ireland in the middleweight division at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Minister for Sport Martin Cullen extended his sympathy to Sutherland's family. 'I was very saddened to hear of the death of boxer Darren Sutherland and offer my deepest condolences to his family,' he said in a statement.
'Ireland has lost a sportsman of wonderful ability, a clever and popular man with a future of real potential. His early death deprives us of a magnificent talent. May he rest in peace.'

http://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2009/0914/sutherland.html



I know most here probably won't have heard of him, but I think some of the big boxing fans like Slab and PDX may have heard a little about him.
He won Bronze at the Olympics last year and only recently turned pro, despite already being 27. He had 4 fights and won each by KO. He was genuinely a very good prospect, and anyone who has seen him can testify that he packed vicious power in his punches.

This is a huge shock. He was always outgoing and confident, you never would have guessed he would take his own life. I guess it goes to show that things aren't always as they appear.

This really has been a horrific year for boxing.

RIP Darren.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Sad to hear. Bad year for boxing fans. RIP.