There are two people that would have worried James Degale more than the American in the other corner on Saturday.

Leroy and Diane Degale were told politelybut firmly they weren't invited to the party that could see their son win a medal after 11 years of slog at the Dale Youth Club gym in Notting Dale.

Not that Degale has anything against his folks. Quite the reverse, in fact - he loves them to bits, and that's half the problem.

But the task of getting past Shawn Estrada on Saturday, and then a potential 'gold medal' match against Russian favourite for the gold, Matvey Korobov, in the 75 kilo (middleweight) category is the 22-year-old's only focus.

Having to scan the seats in the Workers Arena in Beijing to make sure his mum and dad got in OK is a mental chore Degale can do without out.

He said: "I know I would be worrying if they were alright in Beijing. Would they get around the city without hassle? Would they have the right tickets, and all that?

"They wanted to come, but I needed to focus on just one thing - and that one thing's pretty obvious."

But 24 hours after the furore surrounding team-mate Frankie Gavin, Degale did the business in style against Mohamed Hikal last Saturday.

However, the Egyptian settled quicker and edged ahead 3-2 in the first round. After that though it was one-way traffic as Degale found his range.

His quick hands and accuracy proved too much for Hikal as he ran out a comfortable 14-4 winner.

And the Dale fighter insists he still has plenty in the tank ahead of his next clash.

He said: "The last couple of rounds I boxed well. Honestly, I am nowhere near my best

"The draw could have been better - it could have been worse.

"I am confident in myself, the team is confident in me.

"I did feel the pressure because he was half-decent. I'm happy it is over and done now.

"Now I have to get ready for the next fight.

"I have not boxed him (Estrada) before, but in December in London I beat an American that beat him although that doesn't mean a lot.

"I know he qualified in the last American Championships, but he is not top five in the world.

"It is one fight at a time for me. "I got us off to a good start now so everyone should be buzzing."