Maloney vows to make swift return to boxing
The promoter and manager was thought to have had a minor heart attack after watching his fighter John McDermott controversially lose an English heavyweight title fight to Tyson Fury last Friday.
Maloney was seen furiously demanding justice for McDermott, who according to most ringsiders had clearly won the fight.
The stress of the evening’s events, and the subsequent discovery of Sutherland, saw Maloney take a turn for the worse, but he is determined to fight McDermott’s corner at the hearing into the fight outcome later this month.
“Doctors have told me that after some days of rest I will be fine and I cannot wait to return to work in the sport of boxing as soon as possible,’’ he said.
“I had no idea the heart attack had happened at the fight. I did have some chest pains and felt a bit unwell but I just put it down to the stress and excitement of what was happening.
“I can guarantee I will be there at the headquarters of the British Boxing Board of Control on September 23 when they stage their hearing into what I believe was the total injustice of the McDermott result.
“Boxing is my life. I have had plenty of highs in the sport and plenty of lows as well. But nothing will ever compare to the shock and sorrow of finding Darren in his flat on Monday night.’’
Meanwhile, Ricky Hatton yesterday paid tribute to Sutherland.
The 27-year-old had turned professional last year after securing a bronze medal in the middleweight division at the Beijing Games.
Having made an unbeaten start to his career as a professional, Sutherland had already attracted plenty of admirers due to his aggressive and exciting fighting style.
Hatton said: “It’s absolutely tragic. I was following Darren’s career with great interest.
“I think out of all the Olympic guys he was one of the best. All of the Olympic boys have looked sensational but he had a little bit of class, he was very exciting and stood out.
“He had a very good professional style.
“It’s tragic and a sad, sad loss for boxing and more importantly a sad loss for his family and friends.”
Hatton added: “The only words that can sum it up are ‘absolutely tragic’ and my heart goes out to his family.”
World heavyweight title challenger David Haye was similarly shocked by Sutherland’s death.
Haye said: “I was a friend of Darren’s and I was as shocked as anybody.
“The guy had the world at his feet, he really did. He had the whole of Ireland behind him.
“I can’t even begin to imagine how Darren’s family and friends are feeling. My heart goes out to everybody who has been hit by this. It’s a sickener.”
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