Darren Sutherland Was Suffering From Depresssion

By Mark Vester

According to a report in The Telegraph, 2008 Olympic bronze medal winner Darren Sutherland, 27, was suffering from depression. Sutherland (4-0, 4KOs) was found dead in his home on Monday by manager/promoter Frank Maloney. Reports inidcate the fighter had hung himself. Sutherland had recently told his trainer Brian Lawrence that he was no longer confident of being able to make it as a pro and was thinking of quitting boxing. Maloney heard about Sutherland's troubles and set up therapy sessions to ease the fighter's worries.

Sutherland no-showed a Monday training session, which worried Maloney and led him to visit Sutherland's home. Maloney is in the hospital recovering from a heart attack and being stressed out from the shock of finding Sutherland's body.

"I have lost someone closer to me than just a boxer. He was a close friend. In some ways I feel I've let him down. His spirit will live with us for a long time. I'm desperately sad for Darren's family whose privacy has to be respected at this time," Maloney said.

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingvester@gmail.com