Joshua made it clear that if Fury wants a staredown, he’ll have to do it on Joshua’s terms.

“If he wants to come in the ring when I win July 25th, feel welcome. Come into my territory. I’m the landlord. I’m going to welcome you into my home. You don’t welcome me into your home,” Joshua said to DAZN Boxing.

The former two-time heavyweight champion explained that he had no interest in giving Fury a publicity moment after his last fight because the contracts for their proposed showdown still hadn’t been signed.

“I’ve been in that position before where I’ve signed contracts with Fury. So, I didn’t play into the games. I’m not there for games. If the contract was signed, I would have got in the ring,” Joshua said. “I was there on a scouting mission. I want to see what my future opponents are going to look like. I saw a lot. I saw some good. I saw some vulnerabilities in there.”

Joshua insists his immediate focus remains Prenga, but he admitted it’s impossible to ignore the prospect of finally sharing the ring with Fury after years of failed negotiations.

“You can’t dangle such a big carrot in front of me and expect me to close my eyes and not see it,” Joshua said. “So I see it. I’m well aware of what’s in front of me, and it makes me want to win this fight even more.”

The 36-year-old returns after a seven-month absence following his defeat to Jake Paul last December. Joshua has made it clear that Prenga is his immediate focus, but victory would keep him on course for a long-discussed showdown with Fury if both heavyweights win their next fights.