CELLARHEAD boxer Scott Lawton has paid tribute to Irish star Darren Sutherland, who has tragically died just a few months after wowing Potteries' fight fans.
Sutherland, aged 27, was found hanged in his London flat by promoter Frank Maloney on Monday.
He shot to prominence after winning a bronze medal for Ireland at last year's Beijing Olympics, and appeared to have a bright professional career leading of him.
Unbeaten in his first four bouts in the paid ranks, the Dubliner fought his penultimate fight at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in May when he stopped Georgia's Vepkhia Tchilaia in four rounds.
Top of the bill that night was Fenton brawler Chris Edwards who defended his British and Commonwealth Flyweight titles against Usman Ahmed.
Lawton's Fentos based Impact gym helped promote the event alongside Maloney.
He said: "I spoke to Darren for 20 minutes at the weigh in before his Fenton Manor fight and he was a smashing lad who was actually down to earth.
"A lot of fighters have an edge about them, but that wasn't the case with Darren. Out of everybody who went to the last Olympics he was the biggest prospect and would have gone the furthest in the professional ranks in my opinion."
"He lost to James De Gale, but he had beaten a few times before that."
Sutherland, a double European Union amateur champion, missed out on gold in Beijing following his semi final defeat by James DeGale.
British fighter DeGale went on to claim gold, but lost four out of six amateur fights with the Irishman.
DeGale was one of three members, from Britain's seven man Olympic team, who medalled in Beijing.
Super heavyweight David Price and light heavyweight Tony Jeffries scooped bronzes all three have since turned pro.
Meanwhile, Lawton is keen to return to action following his unsuccessful tilt at the British lightweight crown in June, when he suffered a sixth round stoppage by John Murray.
The 32 year old is planning to step down to the super featherweight (130lb) category to mount another bid for a major belt.
He has antecedently failed to wrestle the British and Commonwealth titles from Jon Thaxton and Amir Khan respectively.
Lawton signalled his intentions in the past fortnight by surrendering his English lightweight title.
Top of his agenda is securing a clash with Mancunian fighter Michael Brodie, who has made unsuccessful tilts for the WBC and WBO featherweight belts.
However, earlier in his career he did pick up the lesser recognised WBF and IBO titles.
After a four year lay off, following his 2005 defeat against former WBO champion Scott Harrison, the 35-year-old returned to ring in August when he defeated Mark Alexander in four rounds.
If the match up gets the green light Lawton hopes it will be granted eliminator status for the British featherweight crown, which is currently held by Dagenham's Kevin Mitchell.
Sutherland, aged 27, was found hanged in his London flat by promoter Frank Maloney on Monday.
He shot to prominence after winning a bronze medal for Ireland at last year's Beijing Olympics, and appeared to have a bright professional career leading of him.
Unbeaten in his first four bouts in the paid ranks, the Dubliner fought his penultimate fight at Fenton Manor Sports Complex in May when he stopped Georgia's Vepkhia Tchilaia in four rounds.
Top of the bill that night was Fenton brawler Chris Edwards who defended his British and Commonwealth Flyweight titles against Usman Ahmed.
Lawton's Fentos based Impact gym helped promote the event alongside Maloney.
He said: "I spoke to Darren for 20 minutes at the weigh in before his Fenton Manor fight and he was a smashing lad who was actually down to earth.
"A lot of fighters have an edge about them, but that wasn't the case with Darren. Out of everybody who went to the last Olympics he was the biggest prospect and would have gone the furthest in the professional ranks in my opinion."
"He lost to James De Gale, but he had beaten a few times before that."
Sutherland, a double European Union amateur champion, missed out on gold in Beijing following his semi final defeat by James DeGale.
British fighter DeGale went on to claim gold, but lost four out of six amateur fights with the Irishman.
DeGale was one of three members, from Britain's seven man Olympic team, who medalled in Beijing.
Super heavyweight David Price and light heavyweight Tony Jeffries scooped bronzes all three have since turned pro.
Meanwhile, Lawton is keen to return to action following his unsuccessful tilt at the British lightweight crown in June, when he suffered a sixth round stoppage by John Murray.
The 32 year old is planning to step down to the super featherweight (130lb) category to mount another bid for a major belt.
He has antecedently failed to wrestle the British and Commonwealth titles from Jon Thaxton and Amir Khan respectively.
Lawton signalled his intentions in the past fortnight by surrendering his English lightweight title.
Top of his agenda is securing a clash with Mancunian fighter Michael Brodie, who has made unsuccessful tilts for the WBC and WBO featherweight belts.
However, earlier in his career he did pick up the lesser recognised WBF and IBO titles.
After a four year lay off, following his 2005 defeat against former WBO champion Scott Harrison, the 35-year-old returned to ring in August when he defeated Mark Alexander in four rounds.
If the match up gets the green light Lawton hopes it will be granted eliminator status for the British featherweight crown, which is currently held by Dagenham's Kevin Mitchell.
