LOUGHTON Academy boxer James DeGale has promised a knock-out performance when he takes to the ring for his fourth professional fight against Ally Morrison at the Liverpool Echo Arena on Friday.

The 23-year-old believes the work he has put in at the state-of-the-art gym at the academy will pay off handsomely when he steps into the ring this week.

DeGale, who has won his first three professional bouts, insists all areas of his boxing have been enhanced since he turned professional after winning Olympic gold at the Beijing Olympics last year.

“"I'm just feeling like I'm becoming a good all-round pro," he told Sky Sports.

"As soon as I turned pro I was a novice - everything goes out the window. Obviously I've kept the skills but now I have a Plan A, B, C and D. I relax myself properly, I've sort of changed my style and my defence is now that Winky Wright peekaboo style.

"I also punch a lot harder. I've started to rotate my hips, I've been training with bars behind my hips, I've been doing a lot more strength work with harnesses, tyres, sledgehammers. I'm feeling nice and strong and can't wait to box and show people how much I've improved.

"I notice the change every week, in fact every time I spar. I'm sparring with good domestic fighters, so of course it's competitive. But after only 10 months as a pro, I'm feeling fantastic - so imagine what it will be like after two years."

DeGale is predicting a quick fight against Morrison, who is unbeaten in his three bouts.

"I'm feeling good, he's going to be ambitious but believe me, I am looking to take him out in a couple of rounds," he added.

"I'd be surprised, the way I'm feeling right now, if I didn't take him out in two."