James De Galeposter _lx

James DeGale wants to remind people that he's still around and aiming for the top.

The 2008 Olympic gold medallist has been out of action due to issues with his former promoter Frank Warren and it seems that a small number of fans thought he'd hung up his gloves.

"I could not believe how many times people have come up to me recently and asked if I was retired," DeGale told the Sun. 

"It has been a horrible and extremely expensive experience being involved in all the legal processes and not knowing when I was going to fight again. 

"Thankfully, I never descended into a deep depression, but being idle didn't help my state of mind. 

He added: "I can now understand why some boxers and other sportsmen when under pressure turn to booze and drugs to help them forget. It was a situation that made me impossible to live with. That's what caused the end of my two-year relationship with my girlfriend."

 

DeGale has now signed a promotional contract with Hennessy Sports and will make his debut for the outfit on October 13.

 

No opponent has been confirmed as yet but it is believed that the super-middleweight with defend his European title and the fight will be televised on Channel 5.

28/09/2012 22:04:16