FURY'S AGONY
Tyson Fury reveals heartbreak after his cousin Rico Burton is stabbed to death and begs ‘stop knife crime’
TYSON Fury today told of his heartbreak after his cousin was stabbed to death.
The boxing legend said his cousin, Rico Burton, had been fatally knifed in the neck in a shock Instagram post - with cops launching a murder probe into the tragedy.
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In an emotional post, the boxer said: "My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck.
";This is becoming ridiculous - idiots carry knives. This needs to stop."
He called on the Government to "bring back higher sentencing for knife crime", adding: "It's a pandemic.
"You don't know how hard it is until it's one of your own.
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"Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment.
"RIP Rico Burton - may the lord God grant you a good place in heaven, see you soon."
It's understood 31-year-old Rico, was killed outside a bar in Altrincham, Manchester just after 3am.
Police rushed to the scene in Goose Green after reports two men had been knifed.
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Rico was taken to hospital but tragically died a short time later. A 17-year-old man remains in hospital with serious injuries.
A man, 21, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of assault and remains in custody. A second man has also been detained this afternoon.
No further information has yet been given, although police have confirmed a murder probe has been launched.
Tributes have flooded in for Rico today.
Steve Egan, Rico and Fury's former coach, said he was "devastated" to hear of the tragedy.
The 60-year-old, a coach at Jimmy Egan Boxing Academy in Manchester, said Rico had won two national titles fighting as a junior at the gym, and boxed until he was 19.
He left to look for a career in roofing and building work.
"I feel like crying," Steve said.
"He was a fantastic fella, I used to call him our Billy Joe Saunders because he was such a good fighter."
HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTES
Rico's mum will be distraught, he said, adding: "It’s going to finish her off.
"He was always smiling, he knows his boxing is bang on. He loves his mum and his brother and his cousin."
Bar workers who saw the tragedy unfold have been left "shocked and shaken", and Michael Edwards, who lives close by, told The Sun: “It’s really shocking when something like this happens.
“It’s terrible so many people carry knives these days.”
Rico's death comes amid a wave of knife and gun violence across the UK, much of it focused in London.
Just last night, four men were stabbed in Brixton. Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Earlier this week, 44-year-old Lee Byer was charged with murdering Thomas O'Halloran. The 87-year-old was knifed in Greenford as he rode his mobility scooter.
And last year, the number of people murdered in the capital hit an all-time high.
Across the country, there was a 10 per cent spike in knife crime in England and Wales to March 2022 when compared with the previous year.
In that timeframe, police recorded 49,027 knife offences - the largest percentage increase since 2019.
FURY'S GRIEF
Knife crime has also surged by almost 50 per cent when compared to the year to March 2012.
Two-time world heavyweight champion Fury wrote the emotional post just hours after vowing to come out of retirement and take on Oleksandr Usyk in a blockbuster world title fight.
The Ukrainian put on a masterclass to beat Anthony Joshua and defend his belts last night in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk, 35, claimed it was either retirement or the Gypsy King next for him.
This morning Fury, 34, confirmed he is open to stepping back into the ring to win back his heavyweight titles.
He said in a now-deleted Instagram post: "I've just seen Joshua lose for the second time to Usyk - out of his depth.
";However, England has been relieved of its belts. Yet again, as usual.
"There is a remedy and a solution that I can suggest. If you want those belts back then send in the Gypsy barbarian of England. Come on!
Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment
Tyson Fury
"Send me in. I will relieve the Ukrainian dosser of his belts like I did the last Ukrainian dosser.
"But its not gonna be cheap. If you want the best you've got to pay, it's gonna be very expensive.
"So get your f***ing chequebook out and I will relieve that Ukrainian dosser."
He previously revealed it would take £500MILLION to get him to fight again - but claimed he would beat both Usyk and AJ in the same night immediately after the bout in Jeddah.
After watching on TV with his family and friends on holiday in Menorca, he blasted: "After watching that, the both of them were s***e. It was one of the worst heavyweight title fights I have ever seen.
"It was bulls***. Come on!"
Fury, who was born in Manchester, comes from a big family. He and his wife Paris, 31, have six children of their own. They live in Lancashire, although the boxer also owns a home in Vegas.
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In December 2020, his younger brother Roman became the ninth professional boxer in his family.
The champion's sibling has no amateur experience - but had been training during lockdown.
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