TYSON Fury’s cousin was acting as a peacemaker during a pub entry row before he was stabbed to death, a friend has claimed.
Rico Burton died in a 3am “bloodbath” outside a bar in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, on Sunday.
The 31-year-old, a former junior boxer himself, is understood to have been out watching Anthony Joshua take on Oleksandr Usyk with friends before he was fatally attacked.
Horrified revellers watched as a knife was plunged into his neck in the “senseless” and “unplanned” killing.
Violence is said to have broken out as a separate group argued over gaining entry to a pub.
According to pal and former coach Shaun Egan, Rico stepped in to break things up but the men turned on him.
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Shaun, who coached Tyson’s cousin alongside his brother Steve at Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy in Manchester, told MailOnline: “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.”
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A witness added: “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.”
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Goose Green and Rico was taken to hospital, but he died a short time later.
A 17-year-old lad, believed to be a relative, remains in hospital with serious injuries.
Police arrested a man, 21, at the scene on suspicion of murder before detaining a second, 20, later that morning on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and murder.
Greater Manchester Police Superintendent Ben Ewart described the attack as “spontaneous and unplanned”.
He added: “This is without doubt a senseless attack and both victims should have returned home after enjoying a night out with friends.”
‘LOVELY LAD’
Tributes have flooded in for Rico, who friends describe as “a lovely lad” and “fantastic boxer”.
Steve Egan, 60, chief coach at Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy, said he was “devastated” by the news.
“He was an absolute talent,” he added. “He was such a nice lad, he was hardworking and had a great sense of humour.”
And in a social media post on Sunday, Tyson called on the government to “bring higher sentencing for knife crime” after his cousin was “stabbed in the neck”.
The heavyweight boxing champion wrote on Instagram: “My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck.
“This is becoming ridiculous… idiots carry knives. This needs to stop.”
He added: “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 one of your own.
“Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick. Enjoy every moment.”
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.
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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 before more lives are lost.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
