The boxing legend said his cousin Rico Burton was fatally stabbed in the neck in a shocking Instagram post – with police launching an investigation into the killing tragedy. 8 Tyson Fury spoke of his anguish after his cousin was stabbed to death last nightCredit: Getty 8 Rico Burton, 31, was allegedly ‘stabbed in the throat’ outside a bar in AltrinchamCredit: Social Media 8 Police rushed to the scene after Rico was fatally woundedCredit: ASP 8 It comes just hours after Tyson posted a now-deleted Instagram video accepting Oleksandr Usyk’s fight challenge In an emotional post, the boxer said: “My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck. “This is getting ridiculous – idiots carrying knives. This has to stop.” He called on the government to “bring back higher sentences for knife crime”, adding: “It’s a pandemic. “You don’t know how hard it is until you have one. “Life is too precious and it can be taken away too quickly. Enjoy every moment. “RIP Rico Burton – may the Lord God give you a good place in heaven, see you soon.” It is understood that 31-year-old Rico, a former boxer who trained with Fury, was killed outside a bar in Altrincham, Manchester shortly after 3am. Police rushed to the scene in Goose Green following reports that two men had been stabbed. Rico was taken to hospital but tragically died a short time later. A 17-year-old remains in hospital with serious injuries. A man, aged 21, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and remains in custody, with police launching a homicide investigation. Tributes have been pouring in for Rico today. Steve Egan, Rico and Fury’s former trainer, said he was “devastated” to hear of the tragedy. The 60-year-old, a trainer at the Jimmy Egan Boxing Academy in Manchester, said Rico had won two national titles competing as a junior at the gym and had been boxing until he was 19. He left to pursue a career in roofing and construction. “I feel like crying,” Steve said. “He was a fantastic guy, I used to call him our Billy Joe Sanders because he was such a good fighter.”
TRIBUTES TRIBUTES
Rico’s mom will be upset, he said, adding: “It will finish her. “He was always smiling, he knows his boxing is big. He loves his mom and his brother and his cousin.” Bar workers who saw the tragedy unfold have been left ‘shocked and overwhelmed’ and Michael Edwards, who lives nearby, told the Sun: ‘It’s really shocking when something like this happens. “It’s scary so many people carry knives these days.” Rico’s death comes amid a spate of knife and gun violence across the UK, much of it centered in London. Just last night, four men were stabbed in Brixton. Seven people were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Earlier this week, 44-year-old Lee Byer was charged with the murder of Thomas O’Halloran. The 87-year-old was stabbed in Greenford while riding his mobility scooter. And last year, the number of people murdered in the capital reached an all-time high. Across the country, there has been a 10% increase in knife crime in England and Wales to March 2022 compared to the previous year. In that time frame, police recorded 49,027 knife offenses – the biggest percentage increase since 2019.
THE SORROW OF FURY
Knife crime has also risen by almost 50 per cent compared to the year to March 2012. Two-time world heavyweight champion Fury penned the emotional post just hours after vowing to come out of retirement and face Oleksandr Usyk in a blockbuster world title fight. The Ukrainian produced a masterclass to beat Anthony Joshua and defend his belts last night in Saudi Arabia. Usyk, 35, claimed it was either retirement or Gypsy King next to him. This morning Fury, 34, confirmed he is ready to return to the ring to regain his heavyweight titles. He said in a now-deleted Instagram post: “Just watched Joshua lose to Usyk for the second time – out of his depth. “However, England has got rid of its belts. Again, as usual. “There is a cure and a solution I can suggest. If you want these belts back, send the Gypsy barbarian of England. Come! Life is very precious and can be taken away very quickly. Enjoy every moment Tyson Fury “Send me. I will release the Ukrainian doser from his belts as I did the last Ukrainian doser. “But it’s not going to be cheap. If you want the best you’re going to pay, it’s going to be very expensive. “Well, get out your checkbook and I’ll absolve this Ukrainian moneylender.” He previously revealed it would take £500million to get him to fight again – but claimed he would beat both Usyk and AJ on the same night straight after the fight in Jeddah. After watching on TV with his family and friends on holiday in Menorca, he gushed: “After I watched it, they were both se. It was one of the worst heavyweight title matches I have ever seen. “It was bulls. Come on!” Fury, who was born in Manchester, comes from a large family. He and his wife Paris, 31, have six children of their own. They live in Lancashire, although the boxer also has a house in Vegas. In December 2020, his younger brother Roman became the ninth professional boxer in his family. The champion’s sibling has no amateur experience – but has been training during the lockdown. 8 He called on the government to increase sentences for knife violence in an emotional post on InstagramCredit: tysonfury/Instagram 8 Police at the scene of a fatal stabbing in Manchester the night after Rico was killedCredit: ASP 8 Fury said today: ‘Life is too precious and it can be taken too quickly’ Credit: Getty 8 The ace comes from a large family and has six children of his ownCredit: AFP
