Tyson Fury’s cousin killed in stabbing outside a bar
BOXER Tyson Fury called for tougher sentences for knife crime last night after revealing his cousin had been stabbed to death.
The heavyweight champion said Rico Burton, 31, was killed in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Police have confirmed a murder inquiry is under way. Mr Burton – who had himself been a top junior boxer – died at around 3.30am after being knifed in the neck outside a bar in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
Witnesses said paramedics desperately performed CPR on Mr Rico, but he was declared dead in hospital. Fury, a double world champion nicknamed ‘The Gypsy King’, called on the Government to ‘bring back higher sentencing’ for the ‘pandemic’ of knife crime.
‘ My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck,’ the boxer wrote on Instagram. ‘This is becoming ridiculous – idiots carry knives. This needs to stop.
‘ASAP, UK 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. RIP Rico Burton – may the lord God grant you a good place in heaven, see you soon.’ He ended his post with the hashtag ‘only cowards carry weapons’.
Fury, 34, is thought to have heard the devastating news while on holiday in Menorca with his wife, Paris, and father, John. A 17-yearold boy, believed to be another relative, was also stabbed in the attack and suffered ‘life-changing injuries’, police said. He remains in a serious condition in hospital.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed they had arrested a 21-yearold man at the scene on suspicion of assault. Another man, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of murder and assault. He remains in custody. Superintendent Ben Ewart said the force was investigating whether a previous argument had resulted in the fatal stabbing. Sources said it could have been the culmination of a long-running dispute between two travelling community families.
Tributes poured in for Mr Burton, a roofer who was also a boxer until the age of 19. Steve Egan, Mr Burton and Fury’s former coach, said he was ‘devastated’. The 60-yearold said Mr Burton had won two national titles as a junior. ‘He was a fantastic fella... he was such a good fighter,’ he added.
Mr Burton had watched British heavyweight Anthony Joshua lose to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk from the Church Inn pub, Flixton, on Saturday before heading to Altrincham. Locals said the attack took place near King Pong bar.
Mr Egan added: ‘From what I’ve heard it was just a bit of a scuffle. Some other guys were trying to get into a club and they wouldn’t let them in. The argument wasn’t with Rico, he was trying to calm it down. It was settled, then suddenly the guy stabbed them. It is unbelievable, so senseless.’ A witness said: ‘A few men were arguing outside and then suddenly two men were on the ground. It all happened so fast but no one knows what caused the fight.’
Local Michael Edwards said he was woken up at 3.30am by emergency vehicles. He added: ‘It happens quite often, sadly. There has been a lot of trouble at those bars recently. It’s frightening that so many people now carry knives.’
Greater Manchester Police have appealed for anyone who may have seen the attack to come forward. Recent figures show knife crime jumped 10 per cent in England and Wales in March this year compared with the 12 months earlier.
‘This is becoming ridiculous’