DeGale won't flop as a pro, insists McDonnell

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Ahead of the 23-year-old Londoner's pro debut against Vepkhia Tchilaia, of Georgia, in Birmingham on Saturday, McDonnell revealed the moment the Beijing middleweight gold medallist proved his commitment.

"A few weeks ago, when we had all that snow, three boxers were meant to meet me for a dawn run through Epping Forest. Only one turned up and that was James," said McDonnell. "There he was, this Olympic gold medallist, at six in the morning, it's freezing cold, there is snow everywhere and he's up for a run that took an hour and 36 minutes. When we've finished he goes down in the dirt and the snow doing his press-ups."

McDonnell knows from painful experience that a boxer has to dig deep. Back in 1989, having ended the ring career of Barry McGuigan, he climbed from the canvas three times against Ghanaian Azumah Nelson before finally succumbing in the 12th round of a dramatic world super-featherweight title fight at the Royal Albert Hall.

He is now regarded as one of Britain's top trainers, helping Herbie Hide claim the WBO world heavyweight crown and then plotting Danny Williams's shock demolition of Mike Tyson.

"I know what it takes," said McDonnell. "And James has got it. He's got all the 'Ds': determination, dedication, desire, discipline and a dream. And he's got all the 'Ss': strength, suppleness, stamina and the skills. I've got a great fighter."