DeGale may turn professional
by Tony Cuddihy, 06 October 2008
James DeGale, the British boxer who won Olympic gold this year in Beijing, is considering an offer to turn professional rather than defend his middleweight title in London 2012.
22-year-old DeGale is looking at the end of October to make a final decision, but admits that he's about "60%" certain that he wants to keep his amateur status.
Much depends, says DeGale, on the future of his coach Terry Edwards, the man who led Great Britain to their best Olympic performance since 1956.
DeGale, 22, told PA: "I'm not going to let too much out but (the contract offer) is way over a million - nearly two million over a couple of years.
"If I do or do not (turn professional) everyone will soon find out."
A shake-up in the British amateur boxing set-up has left the future of Edwards uncertain, and DeGale believes more boxers will leave to become professionals if their father figure isn't kept on for 2012.
He said: "He (Edwards) has proved himself. He is like a second Dad to us.
"When he has to be hard, he is hard. It is the whole vibe and communication with him that just works.
"It would be nice if he could stay."