Boxer Sutherland found dead

Irish Olympic medal-winning boxer Darren Sutherland was found dead at his home in England today.

The 27-year-old, who won a bronze medal for Ireland at the 2008 Games in Beijing, was found in his flat in Bromley, south London, by his manager and boxing promoter Frank Maloney.

"It is very sad and unexpected," Mr Maloney said in a statement released tonight. "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."

He described it as a "tragedy for Ireland and the world of boxing".

A London police spokesman said Sutherland was pronounced dead just after 3pm. His death is not being treated as suspicious, and his family have been informed.

The fighter had made made a promising start to his professional career at super middleweight. He won his debut fight in Dublin last December by a knockout and was undefeated after four fights. His last fight was in London just eight weeks ago.

Agencies