17-year-old arrested in connection with the death of Hartlepool man Mark Denton

An area cordoned off by police, similar to the cordoned off house in Hartlepool where Mark Denton was found injured on New Year's Eve. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Police have launched a murder inquiry after a former boxer died in an incident at a New Year’s Eve party.

Mark Denton, aged 31, died after he sustained stab wounds at a house in Hartlepool.

A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with the death and remains in police custody after officers were called to the house in Hutton Avenue at about 10.20pm on Tuesday.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said the victim, who has not been formally identified but was named locally as Mr Denton, was taken to hospital with serious injuries and later pronounced dead.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out today to establish the cause of his death.

Bobby Gill, a friend of Mr Denton, placed a floral tribute outside the large semi-detached house in Hartlepool which remained cordoned off and guarded by police on Wednesday.

Mr Gill told Sky News: “He was good lad. He was no angel, but nobody deserves this, do they?"

He said he had known Mr Denton for about 15 years through a local boxing gym.

Mr Denton is understood to be have been a promising middleweight amateur boxer when he was younger.

His friends also paid tribute to him on a Facebook page set up in his memory.

One user, Kirsty Wildberg, said: “R.I.P Mark such sad news you were a brilliant man thinking of all your family and friends at this heartbreaking time.”

Dann Thompson wrote: “Rip mark u where 1 of a kind pal loved by many and never forgotten night god bless sleep well big lad thoughts go out to family and friends.”

Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101.