Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, arguably Ireland's best-known boxer, reflected on the loss of an outstanding prospect.

He said: "It is an absolute tragedy.

"I would describe Darren as a phenomenal talent.

"I believe he would have become a world champion in the professional ranks one day."
 

Michael Carruth, who won the Olympic gold medal at weltwerweight at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, lamented the loss of a great talent. 

Carruth said: "He had the power, he had the charisma, everything that goes into making a top-class pro, he had the ingredients there.

"Unfortunately we are never going to get to see this now."
 

Dominic O'Rourke, the President of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, revaled that Sutherland's death had devastated the fighters with whom he came through the domestic ranks.

He said: "They're all in desperate shock.

"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.

"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.

"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 [Beijing] 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."

Pat Hickey, the President of the Olympic Council of Ireland said that Sutherland will be sorely missed.
 

He said: "In Beijing he was the life and soul of the Irish Olympic squad, a guy with a terrific personality and attitude.

"His Olympic colleagues enjoyed his irrepressible good humour and his keen interest in all of the various sports that Ireland participated in.

"He was simply a superb individual who had time for everyone,"

Even Sutherland's former rivals paid tribute.

James DeGale (pictured), who beat Sutherland in the semi-finals of the Olympics in Beijing on his way to claiming the middleweight gold, was stunned.

He said: "It is very, very sad news - I just can't believe it.
 

"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, and it is just terrible.

"I just do not know what to say except that he was a brilliant fighter, in fact an excellent fighter, and he was a gentleman outside the ring as well.
 

"He had an Olympic bronze medal, and his whole life to look forward to.

"He had a great future, and my heart goes out to everyone who knew him."

Terry Edwards, the British coach was in DeGale's corner in Beijing, said: "He was such a respectful guy outside the ring.

"He had a great rivalry with James.

"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."

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Maloney may have suffered a heart-attack after finding Sutherland yesterday afternoon.
 

Doctors at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley 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."


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September 2009: Irish Olympic boxing medallist found dead