TYSON FURY showed his true class on Saturday night after he reached out to a young boxing fan after becoming the unified heavyweight champion.
The Gypsy King stopped Deontay Wilder in round seven of their rematch to win the WBC and Ring Magazine heavyweight titles in Las Vegas.
Mary Burke and her son John were delighted with Tyson Fury’s messageCredit: Mary Burke
Fury hit the town after his stunning victory but took the time out to send a special message to one Irish fan.
John Burke, 3, from Kilkenny is currently in his own fight. The brave youngster has Adenoid cystic cancer (ACC) and is being treated at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
Speaking to SunSport, his mother, Mary, told us: “He has stage 4 ACC cancer (Adenoid cystic cancer). It’s fairly hard to treat but they’re trying to treat it.
“He’s just finished his fourth round of chemo – he’s not really well at the moment.
‘OUR CHAMP’
“He’s very sick but we’re hoping that, I’m praying to God, everybody, the whole world is praying for him that he will be ok. He’s a little fighter anyway and we call him ‘our champ’.
Burke was quick to praise the staff at the hospital, saying: “Oh they are brilliant. Like we go from Shared Care in Waterford to Crumlin but it’s a completely different hospital when you come into it and the staff – they don’t just care for John – they care for the whole family.
“They always ask if there’s anything they can do for us and things like that. I have six kids and they always accommodate when bringing the other kids up to the hospital and stay in the Ronald McDonald House…there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for us.”
Like any parent trying to help their child though illness, Mary said they were delighted when Fury got in touch.
Wilder vs Fury II: Round by round
A BIG LIFT
“The child was delighted”, she said.
“He’s very sick and he was down but he said a few words to Tyson. He tried to ring the phone but unfortunately I was asleep.
“My cousins were over at the fight and they were all in the pub with him after he won the fight and they were telling him about John and how he’d be going to the next fight.
“John said ‘Up Tyson’ the night before because I sent my cousins a picture.
And then, I’m shocked, Tyson sent the video for John. We showed John and he was delighted with it. He was saying ‘up Tyson’.
“He was very weak but he sent back a little message and said ‘thanks’ and he’s going to the next fight, please God.
“He’s a proper champion in every way – in every way.”
In the video to John, Fury says: “Hey, this is Tyson Fury AKA The Gypsy King. This is a special message to John Burke.
“Son, get well soon and I hear you’re my biggest fan and you’re going to come to my next fight when we’re back in the UK baby.
“All the best, God bless you son – see you soon”
Deontay Wilder’s corner threw in the towel in the seventh roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty
New heavyweight world boxing champion Tyson Fury arrives at Manchester Airport to cheering crowds
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
