Darren Sutherland

[the inbetweener]

There is a consistent history of boxing suicides. While there were undoubtedly other determining factors surrounding his death, boxing is a very mentally demanding, almost debilitating, sport.

When you step through those ropes, you're putting your life/livelhood/reputation on the line more so than in any other sport. If a footballer has a bad game, he will probably still get picked for the next match - if a boxer performs badly in a big fight, he is potentially finished; the mental pressure is immense. So a bad defeat or even the pressure to succeed can have deep psychological effects.

Perhaps there should be more stringent psychological tests to assess a fighter's mental state: regularly, say every 6 months. I think it's definitely something the BBBC should look into.

P.S.- R.I.P. Darren.

[Kirkland Laing]

Bloody hell. Don't know what to say about this one. RIP.