Owner of 'UK's biggest gold chain' pleads with Tyson Fury to buy it
Tyson Fury has a reputation for being a big spender and now the owner of what could be the UK's biggest gold chain wants him to buy it.
Andreo Montanino, 33, bought the gigantic crucifix and chain in honour of his late Roman Catholic grandmother, who wouldn't have wanted to see it melted down.
The piece, which he claims is largest of its kind in the UK, will be auctioned in the hope of raising £30,000.
It weighs a whopping 1.5kg, and both the cross and chain are made of nine carat gold.
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One of the two parts has the hallmark: "Sheffield 1997 JH & S."
Andreo, from Trowell, Nottinghamshire, said: "My nan would have hated that [the jewellery melted down].
"She was highly religious, a Roman Catholic who originated from Italy.
"She believed items like this, Jesus on the cross, was sacred and should be treated with the utmost respect."
The 33-year-old said that his gran was in her 80s when she passed away a year and a half ago.
"As soon as I saw that cross, it reminded me of her. I had to buy it for nan," he said. "I had to save it from being melted down. I was in the right place at the right time.
"I found it at a bullion place where people send gold to be scrapped and items are usually processed quickly."
Andreo revealed that he bought the giant crucifix and chain three months ago and thinks it would be the perfect accessory for someone like Tyson Fury.
He said: "I hope bringing it to auction will help me find someone who will treasure it.
"Because it's so special, a showpiece, it would work well if it was worn around the neck of a famous boxer on the walkout to the ring, someone like Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua.
"It's perfect for a sportsman, celebrity or someone from the music world who likes to make a big statement, perhaps a rapper.
"I see it featured on a program like MTV's Cribs or being bought by a famous basketball or NFL [National Football League] player."
Andreo is not the only person impressed by the chain. Helen Smith, head of jewellery at Hanson's, admitted she'd never seen anything like the piece before.
She said: "The chain links are huge and quality workmanship has gone into creating the iconic religious imagery of the crucifix.
"I love that Andreo bought this to honour his nan. It certainly deserves to go around the neck of a man who excels in sports or an important celebrity.
"It's really heavy so, if you plan to wear it for any length of time, you need to be strong. Tyson Fury would be perfect as he is a devout Christian.
"Like Andreo's nan, he would appreciate the religious significance and symbolism of the item."
Emma Guinness