Boxer Darren Sutherland was due to see a psychologist on the day he was found hanged

It has emerged that boxer Darren Sutherland had an appointment to see a leading psychologist on Monday, the day his promoter and close friend, Frank Maloney, found him hanged.

According to sources in Ireland, the 27 year-old Beijing Olympic bronze middleweight medallist had told his trainer, Brian Lawrence, that he was thinking of quitting boxing, and had lost all confidence in himself.

The fears over Sutherland's falling confidence had been passed on to Maloney, who had organised therapy sessions for the boxer who many felt would have gone on to become a world star in the sport.

When Sutherland failed to show for training on Monday, his promoter and trainer had grown worried. It was then that Maloney went to see his fighter, and on discovering him, collapsed with shock.

The British boxing fraternity have united in mourning the loss of Sutherland over the past four days, with Irish former world champion Barry McGuigan insisting that the events have left him "numb".

Before Maloney signed Sutherland, McGuigan had tried to persuade the Irishman to join his growing stable.

Maloney – still recovering on Thursday in the Princess Royal Hospital, south London following a heart attack and surgery in the wake of the tragic events – spoke in a moving video tribute broadcast yesterday about his protégé.

He said: "I have lost someone closer to me than just a boxer. He was a close friend. In some ways I feel I've let him down.

"His spirit will live with us for a long time. I'm desperately sad for Darren's family whose privacy has to be respected at this time."

Sutherland, with four professional wins, had lived with Maloney and his family for four months after moving from Navan in County Meath late in 2008.

He then moved into his own flat in Bromley, London, in February this year.

It appears that Maloney was seriously ill himself on Monday.

"My heart stopped for 30 seconds, I could feel them pumping my chest," said the 55 year-old.

Tests later revealed that he had suffered a heart attack, most likely while he was at ringside in Brentwood, Essex, on Friday night watching one of his other fighters, John McDermott, lose on points to Tyson Fury.