Maloney in hospital after discovery of Sutherland's body

Manager Frank Maloney was taken to hospital after finding boxer Darren Sutherland hanged in his flat, his spokesman confirmed today.

Tests showed Maloney had recently suffered a heart attack, and doctors at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley, south London have kept him under observation.

Maloney’s spokesman said: “Frank was in shock and taken to hospital for tests which discovered he had had a heart attack.

“He is being kept in for observation and tests but he is sitting up in bed and being allowed to work on his laptop.”

There is a possibility Maloney had the heart attack last week, and not after discovering Sutherland at the boxer’s Bromley flat.

Tributes to Olympic bronze medallist Sutherland have come in from leading figures in Irish and British boxing.

Dominic O’Rourke, president of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, said the Dubliner had been “a star of the show” in Beijing while James DeGale, the British fighter who beat Sutherland in the Olympic semi-finals, described the 27-year-old as “an excellent fighter” and “a gentleman”.

O’Rourke explained that Sutherland’s death had devastated the fighters with whom he came through the domestic ranks.

“They’re all in desperate shock,” he said. “I’m totally shocked, it’s unbelievable and it’s a tragedy for all concerned. His family must be devastated, and our condolences go to them.

“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. From a young age he thought he would be world champion.

“After the Olympics we hoped he would stay on in the amateurs but he said he had done what he’d done for the amateurs and wanted to go professional.”

Reflecting on the events of yesterday, O’Rourke said: “When I heard of his death I found it hard to believe.

“I thought it must be a mistake, but after a few calls I realised it was right. It’s hard to believe, you wonder what happened.”

Former Great Britain head coach Terry Edwards believes boxing has lost one of its best prospects following Sutherland’s death.

Sutherland had won the first four fights of his professional career.

Edwards was in DeGale’s corner when the British fighter scored his Olympic win over the Irish boxer

and he was impressed by Sutherland’s attitude, as well as his boxing.

Edwards said: “He was such a respectful guy outside the ring. He had a great rivalry with James (DeGale). I never heard any bad words between them.

“When he lost to James in the Olympic semi-final he came straight over to the corner and shook our hands and told us we’d got our tactics right, and that was the mark of the man.

“He was a very likeable lad and a total professional. He had a good pro style and I’m sure he would have gone all the way. It’s such a tragedy – the world was his oyster.”