Promoter Frank Maloney has been present for the last few days at the ongoing inquest investigating the death of Irish super middleweight Darren Sutherland, who died over two years ago. Maloney guided the professional career of the Dublin boxer after he won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics until he discovered Sutherland, then 27-years-old, hanged at his Bromley, Kent, flat in September 2009.

The inquest was requested by the boxer's parents. They firmly believe their son was murdered and reject the official cause of death, which listed suicide by hanging. Professor Crane, a criminal forensic pathologist commissioned by Sutherland’s family, raised the possibility of a third-party being involved - when he stated that Sutherland's wrists suggest the possibility of his hands being tied.

Maloney described the inquest as a "witch hunt."

"What a witch hunt going on instead of trying to find the real reason he died. My head is rocking after... the lies today," before adding that he had no need to "hang my head in shame. Going to walk for miles right now need to clear my f****** head after reading that sh**e," Maloney said.

Sutherland lost his love for boxing and wanted to quit the sport, but he had concerns. Around the time of his death, the boxer told his father Tony that he was worried about losing his home if he didn’t fulfill his contractual obligations to his manager Frank Maloney.

"I listened to him a lot. We were chatting and I said: 'Darren, you have to make this decision, it's up to you'," Maloney said.

A note from a friend was found in the boxer’s flat, two days after his death, which warned Darren about Maloney’s reaction if he quit the sport. The note, found by Sutherland’s dad Tony, was written by Sutherland’s friend and adviser Declan Brennan.

The note said: "75 thousand to Frank. Give the car back, give the flat back. Frank will destroy you and your family. In the media he will keep doing articles saying how you’ve ended up digging holes on building sites and he will be right because you were given a God given talent to be a world champion. You think it is bad now, you will see how bad it can get. Your pal Declan."

Maloney denies that he was planning, or made comments related to intimidating Sutherland to continue fighting.

"Why would I say something like that. I am a professional sports manager. I have my own reputation to think about."