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James DeGale is convinced his professional debut on February 28 will be the launchpad for a "new dream" - to become the the first British Olympic champion to win a world title.

DeGale, 22, will begin his professional career alongside fellow Olympian Billy Joe Saunders and 2007 world amateur champion Frankie Gavin at the NIA in Birmingham.

The trio will fight bouts of four three-minute rounds on the undercard of Matt Skelton's Commonwealth heavyweight title showdown with Belfast's Martin Rogan. Their opponents are yet to be announced.

DeGale has been tipped as a future world champion by promoter Frank Warren and his new trainer Jim McDonnell, the man who guided Danny Williams to a heavyweight title shot.

"To hear Frank and Jim talking about me becoming world champion sounds fantastic," said DeGale.

"It is not daunting. I see British boxers win world titles and I think 'that is me all over' - the big stadiums, the crowd, the lights.

"My first aim was to become an Olympian and the second aim is to become a professional world champion. I've achieved the first half of that so what is there for me to do now in the amateurs?

"Professional boxing will suit me. I have a new road, a new dream."

DeGale, a two-time ABA champion and 2006 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, signed for Warren's stable after winning gold in Beijing.

DeGale will open his professional career at super-middleweight but has not ruled out one day fighting at middleweight or light heavyweight.

McDonnell said: "He is making progress fast. James has a want and a will that you won't see in many individuals. He is so, so determined.

"I believe James will become the first gold medallist to become a world champion. It will take time. It might not be a smooth ride. There will be hurdles along the way. But this kid is something very special."

Gavin has teamed up with young trainer Anthony Farnell while Saunders is being trained by Danny Hoy. Warren plans for the trio to fight between six and eight times a year as they make their way into the professional world.

DeGale may be looking to a professional future but he has not forgotten his amateur past and described as "pathetic" the decision to release Terry Edwards as the British head coach.

The 65-year-old has been at the helm for the best part of decade and was awarded with an MBE in the New Year Honours after leading Britain to their most successful Olympics in 56 years.

Edwards not only helped DeGale and Gavin win titles but also 2004 Olympic silver medallist Amir Khan and 2008 bronze medallist Tony Jeffries.

DeGale believes the British Amateur Boxing Association's decision will have a detrimental effect on Britain's medal chances at London 2012.

"It is totally the wrong move because of what he gave to amateur boxing over the last 10 years," said DeGale.

"Our hopes of medals in 2012 have gone right downhill."

Former world super-middleweight champion Richie Woodhall has ruled himself out of the running after emerging as the early favourite to succeed Edwards.

He told PA Sport: "It's an utter load of rubbish. Nobody has contacted me, certainly I am not in the frame and I rule myself out of it. People are just putting two and two together and coming up with five."

Sporting Life / Eurosport