BOXING champ Tyson Fury spoke of his agony yesterday after his cousin was stabbed to death outside a bar.
Revellers looked on in horror as a knife was plunged into the neck of Rico Burton, 31, in a 3am “bloodbath” in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
Boxing champ Tyson Fury spoke of his agony yesterday after his cousin was stabbed to death outside a bar
Revellers looked on in horror as a knife was plunged into the neck of Rico Burton, 31, in a 3am ‘bloodbath’ in Altrincham, Greater Manchester
Tyson, 34, called for tougher sentences for ‘idiots carrying knives’
Tyson, 34, called for tougher sentences for “idiots carrying knives”.
He said: “Life is so precious and it can be taken away very quick, enjoy every moment. RIP Rico, may the lord God grant you a good place in heaven.”
Former youth boxing star Rico had been watching the Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk fight with pals in a pub before going to another several miles away in Altrincham.
It is believed he got into a row inside, before going outside for a “straightener”.
But after a fist fight, it is thought Rico’s attacker pulled a knife and stabbed him in the neck.
One witness said: “It was a bloodbath. Other people were trying their best to save his life, giving him first aid but there was so much blood. Nobody could have saved him.’’
In an emotional Instagram post, The Gypsy King Tyson said: “My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck. This is becoming ridiculous idiots carry knives. This needs to stop, ASAP.
“The Government needs to bring higher sentencing for knife crime.
“It’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until it’s one of your own!”
A 17-year-old, believed to be a relative of Rico, was also injured in the attack and was taken to hospital.
Police held a 21-year-old man at the scene and later arrested another, aged 20.
Both were in custody last night and a murder probe has been launched.
Supt Ben Ewart, of Greater Manchester Police, said the stabbing was a “senseless act” that cops believe was “unplanned.” He said Rico should have been “enjoying being out with friends” and that it was a “tragic end.”
Jim Flanagan, 75, said he saw Rico watching the heavyweight bout in a nearby pub and had given him a hug and bought him a pint hours before he was killed.
He said: “He was just so full of life. To hear that he’s gone, it’s heartbreaking.
“He was such a nice guy, my thoughts are with all his family and our condolences are with all of them. He was one of the good ones.”
Tributes have poured in for Rico, including from his and Tyson’s former boxing coach, Steve Egan, 60.
He said: “I taught Rico, he was a lovely lad. I’m devastated. I feel like crying, he was a fantastic fella. He was a great laugh, there wasn’t a bad bone in him.”
Rico’s death comes amid a wave of knife and gun violence across the UK.
At least 11 people have been stabbed in England and Wales since last Monday.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper last night said: “Knife crime is destroying lives and devastating families.
“This is yet another horrific killing on Britain’s streets.
“It is becoming a national crisis and we need urgent action from ministers before more lives are lost.”
Ex-Tory MP and anti-knife campaigner Nick De Bois added: “The new PM needs to grip this to make our streets safer and stop this senseless waste of life.”
Additional reporting: RICHARD MORIARTY & AMIR RAZAVI
Police held a 21-year-old man at the scene and later arrested another, aged 20
