James DeGale has paid tribute to his friend and rival Darren Sutherland. The undefeated Irish prospect was found hanged at his home yesterday. DeGale beat Sutherland en route to his Olympic gold medal in China last year. There had been talk that the pair might meet again in the professional ranks.
"It is very, very sad news - I just can't believe it," said DeGale. "It is a tragedy. First and foremost, my heart goes out to his family. "I just could not believe it; my heart went to the floor when I heard.
"He was a big part of my Olympic medal journey. I just do not know what to say except he was a brilliant fighter, in fact an excellent fighter. He was a gentleman outside the ring as well."
