DeGale has joined fellow Olympians Frankie Gavin, Billy Joe Saunders and Tony Jeffries in turning professional.

BBC: Edwards upbeat despite defections

British boxers surpassed their Beijing target with bronze medals for light-heavyweight Tony Jeffries and super-heavyweight David Price, and a superb gold for middleweight James DeGale.

BBC: New body to run GB Olympic boxing

Beijing bronze medallist Tony Jeffries also criticised the organisation after signing pro forms with Dennis Hobson last week, although ABA chief executive Paul King said it "has no responsibility for the elite boxing programme".

BBC: Olympic champion DeGale turns pro