Irish boxer Darren Sutherland, an Olympic bronze medalist at Beijing Games, found dead at 27

Irish boxer who won bronze in Beijing dies at 27

LONDON — Darren Sutherland, who won an Olympic bronze medal in boxing at last year’s Beijing Games, has been found dead at his home, manager Frank Maloney said. He was 27.

Sutherland was found hanged at his home Monday by Maloney, who was taken to the hospital suffering from shock. Tests revealed that the 55-year-old manager had a heart attack.

Sutherland, an Irishman who was unbeaten in his first four professional fights, was due to appear with Maloney at a news conference on Tuesday to talk about his next fight, which had been scheduled for Oct. 16.

Olympic middleweight champion James DeGale, the man who beat Sutherland in Beijing, paid tribute to his former rival.

“He had an Olympic bronze medal and his whole life to look forward to,” the Englishman said. “He had a great future and my heart goes out to everyone who knew him.”

Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, who was born in Ireland, said Sutherland had the ability to win a world title.

“I am deeply shocked and deeply saddened by this news and my heart goes out to Darren’s family,” McGuigan said Tuesday. “It is an absolute tragedy. I would describe Darren as a phenomenal talent.

“He represented his country with pride as an amateur and I believe he would have become a world champion in the professional ranks one day.”

Maloney, a former manager of world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, remained in the hospital but doctors were allowing him to work on his laptop. He is expected to remain there for a few days.