James DeGale

Despite being ABA national champion in 2005 and 2006, James DeGale’s international record was not outstanding prior to the Beijing Olympics. It was true that he had won a bronze medal against mediocre opposition at the 2006 Commonwealth Games but his appearances at the World and European Championships had both ended with elimination after losing his first bout. However at the Beijing Olympics he defeated boxers from Egypt, Kazakhstan and the United States to comfortably reach the semi-finals. DeGale then scored upset victories over Darren Sutherland and Emilio Correa, Jr. to become the first Briton to win the Olympic middleweight title since 1968.

He then turned professional and won the British Super-Middleweight title in only his ninth professional fight. DeGale lost his title and his unbeaten record to former amateur rival George Groves in May 2011 but rebounded to become European Super-Middleweight champion much later in the year.