Piers Morgan praised Tyson Fury for the achievements of his boxing career, only for technical difficulties to mean the heavyweight champion heard none of it.
Fury sat down with Morgan on Talk TV after he knocked out DIllian Whyte to defend his WBC heavyweight title. 'The Gypsy King' doubled down on his retirement claim by insisting his fight last weekend was the last of his professional career.
This prompted Morgan to label Fury as one of the greatest boxers of all time. The TV host then praised Fury for making his nation proud, but 'The Gypsy King' thought the interview was over and left whilst Morgan was still speaking.
"I've interviewed you many times and I think you've had one of the all time great careers as a boxer," Morgan said. "If this really is the end, I just want to thank you on behalf of all the fans around the world and all the sports lovers for everything you've done because you've made us all proud.
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"Particularly in this country, you've made us proud to be British and you're just a great champion. So, thank you very much for everything that you've done."
Morgan's praise was followed by a brief silence, before Fury could be heard saying: "He's gone." The technical difficulties continued as Morgan then added: "Oh he's gone, he didn't hear my compliment!"
Some fans have criticised Fury's decision to retire as an undisputed clash against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk's rematch with Anthony Joshua in July remains on the table for him. Fury has played down the fight and insists he already has enough belts in his collection.
The Brit could return for a 'hybrid-rules' bout with UFC champion Francis Ngannou. After 33 professional fights with no defeats, Fury explained why his win over Whyte marked the end of his boxing journey.
"This is nothing but the truth, I'm done," he said. "Every dog has its day. When is enough, enough? I'm happy and healthy, I've still got my brains and can still talk. I've got a beautiful wife and six kids. Success, fame, glory? What else am I doing it for?
"Boxing is a very dangerous sport you can be taken out with one punch as we saw on Saturday night. It only takes one unlucky blow and you may not get up. I'm quitting whilst I'm ahead, only the second man in history to retire as undefeated heavyweight champion."
