Two people have been arrested following a fatal double stabbing in Trafford, in which the cousin of boxer Tyson Fury was killed, police have confirmed.
Detectives have launched a murder investigation over the “senseless attack” in Altrincham, which took place outside a bar in the Goose Green area shortly after 3am on Sunday as both victims enjoyed a night out with friends, Greater Manchester Police said.
Rico Burton, 31, died a short time later in hospital, while a 17-year-old boy with “serious but not life-threatening” injuries remains under the care of medics, according to police.
A 21-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of wounding with intent, while another man, aged 20, was later detained on suspicion of wounding with intent and murder, Detective Superintendent Ben Ewart told a press conference on Sunday evening.
Paramedics found Burton and the 17-year-old with stab wounds and receiving first aid from members of the public when they arrived at the scene, Det Supt Ewart said, praising witnesses’ “outstanding effort” to help the victims.
All initial evidence suggests the attack was “spontaneous and unplanned”, he said, lamenting that “both victims should have returned home this morning after enjoying a night out with friends”.
Tributes have been paid to Burton, a relative of Fury, who made an emotional plea to end knife crime on Sunday morning.
“My cousin was murdered last night, stabbed in the neck,” the two-time world heavyweight champion said on social media. “This is becoming ridiculous idiots carry knives. This needs to stop ASAP.
“[The] UK government needs to bring higher sentencing for knife crime, it’s a pandemic and you don’t know how bad it is until it’s one of your own.”
“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.”
Burton, who also won two national boxing titles while fighting as a junior, was described as “probably one of the best we have ever seen” by one of his former coaches.
“He was an absolute talent,” said Shaun Egan, of Jimmy Egan’s Boxing Academy, where Burton is said to have trained until his late teens.
“He was such a nice lad, he was hard working and had a great sense of humour,” Mr Egan told the Manchester Evening News.
“What’s happened is just awful. He was just a great guy. To hear he has died like this is devastating.”
Police are appealing to the public for information to aid their investigation.
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