Audley Harrison is backing Anthony Joshua to outdo him by adding a world heavyweight title to Olympic glory.

'A-Force' won the super-heavyweight gold in Sydney 2000 only to fall short when he lost his WBA challenge to then-champion David Haye a decade later in 2010.

Joshua will surpass that in the space of four years if he beats Charles Martin, on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Box Office, and Harrison believes Joshua will add the IBF title to his London 2012 gold.

"He's obviously going down the same road I was treading and he's getting there," he told Sky Sports.

"But each man has his own light to shine and this is AJ's time.

"My time came and went. For whatever reason I didn't get that world title and it is just one of those things and I am not one to cry over spilt milk, as they say.

"This is AJ's time and he has a great opportunity to get to the end of that road."

Harrison also believes that adding the world title to Olympic success will even eclipse the achievement of the outspoken world heavyweight number one, Tyson Fury.

He is more than happy to give the WBA Super and WBO title holder "credit and respect" for beating Wladimir Klitschko last November but expects the nation to see Joshua as their No 1 if he comes through against Martin.

Harrison added: "Even though my Olympic title was down in Australia a lot of people from our country were staying up into the middle of the night to see what was happening.

"People are talking about things like Tyson Fury taking the belts off [Wladimir] Kitschko, but even that doesn't have the same impact as what Joshua winning will.

"It is the culmination of the journey of his validation winning the world title. But that is just the first step that he can take. That's why I am right behind him; it's such a powerful moment."

Harrison is based in America and has sparred with Martin before finally retiring from boxing almost a year ago.

He also revealed that him and Joshua spoke before and after the British start stuck gold in London 2012 but has no doubt that the IBF title will not be heading back to America.

"Charles Martin is coming with the belt and although I did think this fight was made too early from him, it is such a good opportunity for him and his team, they couldn't turn it down.

"Anthony Joshua will become the IBF heavyweight champion of the world. I  just think all the cards are in all in his favour.

"Charles Martin is coming to defend his world title but Joshua has the strength, fitness and power and he will get all over him as soon as he can.

"I think it will be stopped in the middle rounds. The referee might step in or his corner might stop it because Charles is being too brave for his own good."