Olympic boxers prove a knockout at Excel

But he's happy to have given up the chance of defending his title because he plans to be a world champion by then, and was on hand to pass on advice to aspiring gold medallists Hannah Beharry and Lesley Sackey (pictured below) at the launch last Thursday of the public exhibition of plans to use Excel for Olympic boxing in 2012

DeGale's career is now being handled by Frank Warren, who guided Amir Khan to a world title last year, and DeGale - nicknamed Chunky - is convinced he'll be the next Olympic star to top of the pro ranks.

He said: "I have a tiny bit of regret about missing the London Olympics but I've moved on and I'm doing my thing and I'm very happy at the minute,

"By end of this year I'm going to be some sort of domestic champion, either British or Commonwealth, and by 2012 I'll be knocking on the door for a world title or maybe even be a world champion. Amir did it and I know I can too."

DeGale's transition from amateur to professional hasn't been plain sailing - he was booed by the crowd for a laboured points win over Vepkhia Tchilaia in his first bout in last February.

But he has steadily improved, winning all five of his pro bouts, and next faces Matthew Barr on February 13 at Wembley Arena, his first fight in London.

He said: "To be honest I found it a bit harder than I thought it would be. I started shaky but everything's come on well. I've come on lovely.

"I've had five fights and five wins. Barr's won 14 fights but he's in the ring with the Olympic gold medallist, so I can't see it going more than four rounds. It's my homecoming. I'm looking to put on a show. It's going to be explosive, speed, power, everything. I can't wait.

"My fitness is fantastic. I'm training hard and I'm feeling great. I can't wait for February 13. The future's bright, the future's chunky."

DeGale, who turns 24 on February 3, had this advice for the 2012 hopefuls.

He said: "Just be focused. Have dedication and work hard. Do that and you'll be cool."

One of those hopefuls was female boxer Lesley Sackey, who is keen to grab the chance of Olympic glory with both gloves.

The 2012 Olympics will feature female boxing for the first time as a competitive event. It was a demonstration sport in the 1904 Games but was then banned.

It's admission for 2012 means for the first time every Olympic sport will feature male and female competitors and for Sackey it's the perfect opportunity to make big name for herself.

She said: "The Olympics was unexpected and it's nice to know we can go for it. I've achieved a lot in boxing in a short space of time so imagine what I could get with funding, the best coaches and concentrated training.

"There's a lot more to it as a sport than just women punching. There's a level of skill and dedication and focus. You'll get respect and admiration for anyone who steps into a ring, whether they are a man or a woman."

The 27-year-old Londoner only took boxing up seriously three-and-a-half years ago. Since then she has won the ABA championship and the prestigious EU Tournament, but she still lacks experience compared to the rivals she will face in 2012.

She said: "I've only had 10 fights, and it's a problem getting bouts here. Most of my fights have been abroad. I'm getting lots of experience, even though these girls have had maybe 50 or 60 bouts more than me. But I can beat them, as I proved in the EU.

"It would be nice to box on home turf and get that support. Sometimes I get frustrated because I want to go down the road and have a fight, instead of having to jump on a plane. It would be nice to have some home support."

That wish will be granted in 2012 when she will have the whole country backing her. What would winning gold mean to her?

"I think words would fail me," she said. "To win gold in 2012 in my home town in the first ever Olympics would be beyond amazing."