The world class prospect and Beijing 2008 Bronze Medallist Darren Sutherland, only aged 27, was found dead last night in his London flat. It appears to have been suicide.
Darren captured the hearts of the Irish people, and British people for that matter, with amazing displays of boxing in the Beijing Olympics before losing narrowly to the eventual Gold winner James DeGale, whom Sutherland had beaten before. He then turned pro and won 3 straight fights in spectacular fashion. Most people felt he was the outstanding fighter of the 2008 Olympic class with many claiming him to be a dead certainty for a World Title. He was definitely a top prospect but also a charming and charismatic man and a great ambassador for Boxing and a perfect role model for children. It’s a tragedy that this amazing human being, and boxer, has been taking away from this world, hopefully he is happy now.
I met Darren about 7 months ago in Gleason’s gym in London whilst I was down in London training myself. I had just walked into Gleason’s as the bell went to signal the end of sparring between Sutherland and a young Nigerian prospect Tony Salam. As soon as Sutherland came out of the ring his trainer instructed him on to the Heavy bags. He got straight on the bags and did 4 rounds. After which his trainer, Brian Lawrence, allowed him to speak to me and the guys I was with. Darren spoke like we had known him for years and was a happy, engaging person, I felt honoured being around him. We spoke about a lot of things and when it got to his future he was very humble and very grounded it made a huge impact on me, this was a guy tipped for world honours being so humble about it. It was how you imagine your heroes to talk to you. I can honestly say it was one of the best moments of my life.
Rest In Peace Darren.
My thoughts are with your family.
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