BRITISH BOXING authorities are to be asked by a coroner if more help can be offered to amateurs turning professional, following the 2009 death of Irish Olympic medal-winner Darren Sutherland.
Delivering an open verdict on Mr Sutherland’s death at his inquest, Croydon coroner Dr Roy Palmer said there was “just sufficient” doubt to stop him finding it was suicide.
Mr Sutherland was found dead at his flat in Bromley on September 14th, 2009, by his manager, Frank Maloney, and physiologist, Joe Dunbar.
Mr Maloney’s barrister, Michael Nelson, had told the coroner he believed the appropriate verdict was suicide: “It wasn’t a case of systemic failure, it was a terrible tragedy.”
Finding that he died by asphyxiation, Dr Palmer said he was “minded” to write a report to the British Boxing Board of Control: “Whether anything can be done, I know not,” he said.
The boxing manager and Mr Sutherland’s father, Tony, exchanged words after Mr Maloney said while giving evidence, “I am very sorry for what happened to your son”, adding that he would “love to sit down and sort it out”.
Clearly angry, Mr Sutherland rose from his seat, saying: “It is a bit late now; it is too little, too late.” The boxer’s father left the room to compose himself.
Following the inquest, the Sutherland family said in a statement they hoped that all amateur boxers turning professional “ensure that they surround themselves with those who they can trust and rely on.
“If anything is to be learned from the tragedy of Darren’s death, it should be that support mechanisms that exist for amateur boxers should also be there for them when they begin their lonely path on the journey to professional life,” the statement said.
Saying they would do all they could to come to terms with the circumstances of the boxer’s death, his family added they would do everything to “remember how he lived, not how he died”.
Mr Maloney denied claims he had intimidated Mr Sutherland, and said the boxer had stayed at his home for months. The two had often stayed up together watching boxing videos in the early hours, he said.
“There are some fighters you shout and scream at and there are some that you might put your arms around and comfort them. Darren was one that you put your arms around,” he went on.
He said he had spoken with his own father, who is Irish, about the boxer before he signed him.
“He said, ‘make sure that you get him, because he will bring you plenty of luck’.”
Mr Maloney’s wife, Tracey, said in evidence that the boxer had been adored by the couple’s children.
Inquest reports: page 7
