Tyson Fury escaped questions on his relationship with Daniel Kinahan during an online press conference on Thursday evening.
The WBC world heavyweight champion, who has no involvement in crime, spoke to members of the media ahead of his Wembley fight with Dillian Whyte next weekend.
A total of 96 journalists and YouTubers were on the Zoom call, with around a fifth of those selected to ask Fury questions.
But nobody asked the 33-year-old about his relationship with mob boss Kinahan, who was hit with sanctions by the United States government earlier this week.
A five million dollar reward for information on the Kinahan crime gang that leads to the arrest and conviction of its leaders has been offered by the US authorities but on the call, there were no questions on Kinahan and when the subject was raised in the group chat, the moderator insisted Fury had to leave the call.
Fury has been pictured with Kinahan numerous times over the years and was seen with the Dubliner as recently as February.
The MTK Global co-founder has previously worked with the two-time world champion, and Fury publicly thanked Kinahan in 2020 for his role in putting together a fight with Anthony Joshua - which subsequently didn't take place.
Speaking in a clip posted online, Fury said: "I'm just after getting off the phone there with Daniel Kinahan.
"He's just informed me that the biggest fight in British boxing history has just been agreed.
"Big shout out Dan, he got this done. Literally over the line. Two fight deal."
Meanwhile, Fury claims he is not thinking about retirement ahead of his April 23 fight with Whyte.
He said: “I am only thinking about Dillian Whyte at this moment, I am not thinking about retirement. That will all come after I have had the fight and we will think about what is to come, what the future holds for me.
“At the minute I have a massive task in Dillian. A lot of people are underestimating Dillian Whyte – but not me.
“I give the guy all the respect he deserves throughout the training camp, I have been training since January, breaking all records in the gym, so I am feeling good, looking good. I am not underestimating this guy and have given him the respect I did for Deontay Wilder.”
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