Tyson Fury calls UK after his cousin was stabbed

Boxing king Tyson Fury has called on the UK government to tackle knife crime after his cousin was stabbed to death in an apparent attack outside a bar in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Rico Burton, 31, was killed after being stabbed in the neck in an attack “bloodbath,” corresponding British media reports.

The argument is said to have started at a bar in Goose Green before escalating outside the venue.

WBC titlist Fury took to social media to make his plea just hours after the blockbuster heavyweight title rematch between Aleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua ended.

“My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck. It’s getting more and more ridiculous, idiots carrying knives. This has to stop as soon as possible.” The 34-year-old wrote on Instagram and included a large image that read, “Stop knife crime.”

“The UK government needs to raise penalties for knife crimes, it’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until it’s one of you!

“Life is very precious and it can be taken from you very quickly, enjoy every moment. RIP RICO BURTON. May the Lord God grant you a good place in heaven. See you soon.”

Police have launched a murder investigation into the death, with a 21-year-old man arrested at the scene and a 20-year-old arrested later.

A 17-year-old is said to remain in hospital with serious injuries, although his condition is not described as life-threatening.

Local law enforcement agencies have also urged witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said he was “Respect for Media Distribution” from Fury’s post, but “Cannot confirm if there is a family connection.”

“Keeping knives off the streets and trying to combat these types of incidents remains our top priority,” he added.

New British Government statistics shown for England and Wales “knife crime” Crimes recorded by police recorded a 10% increase to 49,027 offenses in the year to March 2022 – although this was reportedly below levels recorded before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fury’s social media message came on an evening when “The Gypsy King” suggested he was ready to return to the ring to face Usyk in a potential unification heavyweight title fight after the Ukrainian lost the British rival Joshua defeated by a split decision had their rematch in Saudi Arabia.