February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Since he turned professional last year, the Dubliner had been regarded as a great prospect in the super middleweight division, and even in the early stages of his pro career, many analysts felt he had what it took to become a world champion.
Former Olympic gold-medal winner, Michael Carruth, said he had the style, power and charisma to make it to the top. “Everything that goes into making a top-class pro, he had the ingredients, but unfortunately we’re never going to get to see this now.”
Before his Olympics success, Sutherland had won three Irish amateur titles as well as two European Union gold medals. He later moved from Dublin to London after signing for promoter Frank Maloney.
Pat Hickey, Olympic Council of Ireland president, remembered him as the “life and soul” of the Irish squad in Beijing. “He was a guy with a terrific personality and attitude. He was simply a superb individual who had time for everyone.”
The Irish Sports Council, the state agency that funds and supports the top amateur boxers, said in a statement: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Darren’s family, particularly his parents and sisters at this sad time.
Its chief executive John Treacy said: “Darren was an exceptional athlete who represented Ireland with great honor over many years. It was a privilege to know him both as a fine sportsman and as an intelligent, warm and charming man.
“Darren will be sadly missed by his family, friends, Irish amateur boxing, the wider sports community and all who had the great fortune to have known him,” said Treacy, who won Olympic silver in the marathon in 1984.
Sutherland, who began his boxing at the St Saviors ABC club in Dublin, was known as the “dazzler.” His trip to Beijing as part of the five-boxer contingent proved to be the highlight of his amateur career. He won the middleweight bronze medal. Belfast’s Paddy Barnes also garnered bronze for Ireland, while Sutherland’s fellow Dubliner Kenny Egan took silver. Another member of the team, John Joe Nevin, won bronze in the world championships last Friday.
Of all the Irish boxers, Sutherland’s style was considered the most adaptable to the pro game and he got a number of offers when he returned to Ireland. He ultimately signed papers with the London-based Maloney. In his first professional fight last December, he stopped Bulgarian Georgi Iliev in the first round at Dublin City University.
It was Moloney who discovered the boxer’s body on Sunday. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Sutherland was pronounced dead at just after 3 p.m. He had apparently hanged himself. In a statement, the 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.”
Britain’s James DeGale, who beat Sutherland on the way to winning gold in Beijing, said: “I just do not know what to say except that he was a brilliant fighter, in fact an excellent fighter, and he was a gentleman outside the ring as well.”
Dominic O’Rourke, president of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, said: “He was such a popular young lad within the association. He talked to all the kids and they all loved him.
“He always believed he would qualify for the Olympics and would win a medal, and he achieved it. He was a star of the show.”
Additional reporting by Irish Echo staff.