Francis Ngannou warned Tyson Fury "boxing rules" were protecting him as the pair clashed again at Wednesday's press conference; Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou meet in a heavyweight clash live on Sky Sports Box Office on Friday March 8.
Fury, who had confronted Ngannou earlier in the week over the MMA champion's claims he was a 'coward', sat in the front row on Wednesday as a reminder that the potential prize for Friday's victor could be an eventual encounter with the Gypsy King or Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship.
Ngannou steps inside the ring for just the second time in his professional boxing career this week, five months on from threatening one of the great upsets in history as he knocked down Fury during a frenetic 10-rounder he would eventually lose by split decision.
The 37-year-old said victory over Joshua would represent the most notable of his combat career, before turning his attention towards Fury.
"He will be the best so far, but I'm just getting started," said Ngannou. "I'm looking for the victory on Friday, I don't think it will be a statement because the road is still long.
Fury, who is preparing to face Usyk on May 18 following the fight's postponement, cupped his mouth as he issued a reply in Ngannou's direction, prompting the latter to continue.
"I'm going to wipe the ring with your a*** again - there was blood in the ring!" added Ngannou.
"Your only chance is in the boxing ring with boxing rules, when you step out the ring you better stay five metres away because if I lose it, you'll have a really bad time my friend.
"Respect the fact boxing rules are protecting you, because you are nothing in front of me. I'll beat you every day, twice on Sunday!"
It served as the only deviation from an otherwise relaxed press conference, with some fascination to be found in a light-hearted Ngannou's momentary switch in tone as he sought to deliver a warning to Fury.
Joshua, sporting one AirPod in his ear, meanwhile watched on unfazed as he maintained the at-peace, laser-focused demeanour with which he has conducted the entire fight week, and his past two fight weeks.
As for what to expect, it was straight to the point. As he hopes will be the case on Friday.
"All will be revealed," he said with a smile. "Straight up war, relentlessness, good fight, stay tuned."
Quizzed on the prospect of facing the winner of Fury and Usyk, he quickly interjected.
"We aren't looking past this fight, the incentive is just to win, to just focus on my game plan."
Joshua's one vacant AirPod soon became a talking point, the pair sharing a laugh as Ngannou placed it in his ear to find out what his counterpart was listening to.
Mutual respect had remained the theme, Ngannou hailing Joshua's 'flawless' performance to dispatch Otto Wallin last time out and Joshua underlining Ngannou's boxing roots as he played down any prospect of taking Friday's challenge lightly.
Reporting By: Ajayi Oluwaseun Michael.
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