Olympic boxing champion James DeGale is to abandon his dream of a winning a second gold medal at the London Games in 2012.

Instead, DeGale is tomorrow expected to announce he has signed professional with Frank Warren.

DeGale has agonised over his future since outpointing Cuba's Emilio Correa in the middleweight final in Beijing.

At the time, the 22-year-old from Harlesden said: "My heart is saying just eight or nine miles down the road I could be defending my title in my home city.

"Imagine that. But I also have to think about my life and my family. Turn pro and I could set myself up for the rest of my life."

It is understood DeGale's deal with Warren could be worth at least £1.5million over two years.

He is expected to make his professional debut early in 2009. "I know I'll be a fantastic pro," he said.

DeGale's Olympic team-mate, Tony Jeffries, the 23-year-old who won a light-heavyweight bronze medal in China, has signed professional forms for Dennis Hobson's Sheffield-based Fight Academy.