Anthony Joshua’s mum will not be watching ringside when her son takes on the biggest challenge of his life on Saturday.

The IBF champion will clash with former unified champion Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley, but Joshua’s mum, Yeta Odusanya, will not be one of the 90,000 people watching inside the stadium.

That is because Joshua has handed down a ban to his mum as he does not want the added distraction of a worrying mother on fight night.

‘My old man will be there again, but I don’t really let my mum come to my fights,’ said Joshua.

 

‘I’ve banned her. It’s not a place where you want to see your kid, I don’t think, at a fight.

‘My dad can watch it, but not my mum.

‘She is confident enough in me to watch, but I would rather she not be there.

‘One of my cousins will call her after the fight.

‘She enjoys it all, though, and she gets a few freebies.’

Joshua’s father, Robert, will be ringside to support his son as Great Britain waits to see if the IBF king is good enough to tame Klitschko.

 

Yeta has not attended any of Joshua’s fights since his London Olympics 2012 gold medal triumph.

The WBA title is also on the line with Joshua aiming to become an overnight legend and Klitschko targeting a return to the top after defeat to Tyson Fury in 2015.

Klitschko faces the undefeated Joshua and will aim to become the first fighter to stop the 27-year-old and avoid a knockout.

Anthony Joshua will become the “biggest star in world boxing” if he defeats Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

IBF champion Joshua can add the WBA ‘super’ title with victory over Klitschko in Saturday’s heavyweight unification clash, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

A record crowd of 90,000 will attend the fight, which will also be watched by a worldwide audience on television, and Hearn believes the unbeaten 27-year-old could soon be recognised as the most marketable figure in the sport.