Dublin, Ireland (My Sportsbook) - Boxer Darren Sutherland, who captured the bronze medal for Ireland at the Beijing Olympics, was found dead at his apartment in south London on Monday.

Sutherland was just 27 years old.

Irish Amateur Boxing Association president Dominic O'Rourke made the announcement on Tuesday.

"On behalf of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association I would like to express my condolences to Darren's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this moment. Darren came up through the ranks with us. Even as a youngster you could see that he had the talent to go places. He represented his country with distinction every time he stepped in the ring and he was very proud to be capped for Ireland at all levels. This is a tragic loss for Irish sport and we are all deeply saddened."

Sutherland signed with promoter Frank Maloney after the Beijing Games and won his first four professional bouts. He had won three Irish senior titles, two European Union gold medals and several multi-nation gold medals boxing for Ireland in the middleweight ranks. In addition, he reached the round of 16 at the 2005 and 2007 AIBA World Senior Championships.

Reports stated Sutherland was found hanged at his home by Maloney, who in turn was taken to a hospital suffering from shock. It was found that Maloney suffered a heart attack after discovering the body.