• Boxing

DeGale ready for world domination

James DeGale is being tipped to land a world title © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: DeGale desperate to be fast-tracked to major title
  
• News: DeGale 'can't see how he can fail' in first title shot
  
• Profile: James DeGale

James DeGale has admitted he longed to represent Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, but has no regrets about giving up that dream to turn professional.

DeGale came to public prominence when winning gold at the Beijing Olympics and it was predicted that he would look to defend his crown in London before turning professional. However, the pull of the professional game proved too strong and six undefeated fights later, DeGale is on the cusp of fighting for the WBA intercontinental super-middleweight title.

"I wanted to win the Olympics in 2012," DeGale told the Daily Telegraph. "I was desperate. When Frank Warren came in for me after Beijing, I was this close to staying amateur and going for the gold in my home town.

"But you have to strike while the iron's hot. You know, I might sacrifice all this for the Olympics and I could be knocked out in the first round, I could hurt my hand the week before, I might not even qualify. Nothing's guaranteed. Besides, I reasoned, I've done it, I've got the gold. Not many can say that: Ali, Lennox, Sugar Ray, that's some pedigree. Now it's time to step up a level."

The Londoner is champing at the bit to get his hands on a title, but admits he has a fear of losing.

"All I'm scared of is losing, nothing else," DeGale said. "I put heaps of pressure on myself. I pile it on, man, the verbals. A couple of people have said, don't go with the mouth, but I'm not going to change. At the Olympics I tried to be all like articulate and say sensible clever things, and I'm thinking even as I'm doing it, 'what are you talking about, boy, stop it. Be yourself'. And that's what I've decided to be. Just be me."

DeGale will not fail through lack of effort, as he said: "I'm impatient. I'm telling Frank all the time, I want more, I want a title shot. I'm working hard as a pro. I'm bang into training, I'm on the road at six in Epping Forest, hour and a half pounding the streets, eight miles or so. Then I go back to my coach's place, have breakfast, sleep. Then I go to gym for a two-hour session, give it everything. Then I'm back home to chill and recover. That's all I do. That's it, that's my life."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.