Ricky Hatton has paid tribute to former Olympian Darren Sutherland following the Dubliner’s tragic death this week.
Dubliner Sutherland was found hanged on Monday by his promoter Frank Maloney.
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.
And former two-weight world champion Hatton joined those who have paid tribute to the Dubliner.
Hatton commented: ‘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.’
Meanwhile, Maloney has vowed to return to the sport as soon as possible after undergoing an operation at King's College Hospital in London following a heart attack.
Maloney was initially admitted to the Princess Royal Hospital in Bromley on Monday night suffering from shock after discovering the body of Sutherland at the boxer's flat.
Subsequent tests revealed the promoter had suffered a heart attack. It is now thought the attack happened at ringside in Brentwood on Friday night, after Maloney watched his fighter John McDermott suffer a controversial points defeat to Tyson Fury.
Maloney, now back at the Bromley hospital, said: ‘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.
‘I had no idea the heart attack had happened at the fight. I did have some chest pains and feel 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 shock and sorrow of finding Darren in his flat on Monday night.’
