Boxer who 'sparred with Tyson Fury' killed a man after he descended into drug dealing

In September 2023, the family of Mali Wright called Greater Manchester Police.

Wright, 30, a boxer who fought at national level, was acting out of character and was away from the family home. His disappearance was ‘unnerving’ but as Wright was not classed as vulnerable, there was nothing the police could do to help.

A year earlier the fighter had suffered an injury, while at the top of his game, and had spent time in rehabilitation, going to the gym and building back his strength. He had reportedly sparred with the likes of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury and hoped to return to professional boxing in the near future. He also planned to marry his long term partner.

READ MORE: Boxer Mali Wright jailed for killing Daniel Allsop in 'brutal' Blackpool attack

But following the deaths of his mother and uncle in short succession, Wright made a series of bad decisions which robbed a family of their son and brother and landed the boxer behind bars.

In September 2023, Wright, originally from Leeds, set up shop as a drug dealer in Blackpool.

He splashed out on taxis and hotel rooms and rented a flat in Central Drive as a base for his operation. He exercised on the beach daily to assist in his recovery and sold drugs in Central Drive and on Blackpool North Pier, with the help of runners who worked for him.

Wright himself did not use the drugs he sold, but offered heroin and crack to users in the resort. Among them was Daniel Allsop, a mild mannered dad-of-two with a ‘heart of gold’ who was known for his quick wit and one-liners.

Daniel, 38, was living a chaotic life after moving to Blackpool from the Midlands. His drug use had escalated and he had become homeless.

On October 2, Daniel handed over a TV to pay off a debt to Wright. But when the mid-heavyweight discovered the set was broken, he sent a short message telling Daniel: “You’re taking the p**s.”

It wasn’t about the money. Wright had a reputation to protect. A fellow drug user offered to settle the debt but Wright declined.

At 4:30pm he met with Daniel in a drug dealing location off Central Drive and set upon him. He launched at least two powerful blows at Daniel, striking him in the back and face. As Daniel pleaded that he did not know the TV was broken, Wright’s punches cracked his ribs and ruptured his spleen.

Daniel managed to run away, unaware of how badly injured he was. He made it to the doors of McDonalds before he collapsed. Members of the public tried to help him and called emergency services, who rushed him to hospital for emergency surgery.

Tragically, Daniel never recovered from the attack. His family travelled from Nottinghamshire to be by his bedside but on October 4 made the painstaking decision to switch off the machines which were keeping him alive.

They said: “We know Daniel was no angel but he absolutely didn’t deserve to die.”

Wright was arrested on suspicion of murder and stood trial at Preston Crown Court. The prosecution said he "used his fists as a weapon" but the jury accepted he did not intend to kill or cause GBH to Daniel and found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Sentencing Wright to a total of 14 and a half years - nine for Daniel's killing, and five and a half to run consecutively for drugs offences, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Robert Altham, said: “You were a strong athlete. Evidence from your trainer was that you had a powerful punch.

“You yourself did not use the poisonous drugs you sold to others. This was an attack by someone who was a powerful athlete, who even by boxing standards had a heavy punch. You attacked a ten and a half stone man who was also addicted to drugs.

“The force used was considerable and there was more than one heavy blow. This offence was in the course of your business. It is plain that as a drug dealer you needed to assert your authority of Daniel Allsop. This was not violence of a spontaneous nature. This was strictly business.”

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