Boxing: JAMES DeGale says he is well on his way to winning over the sceptics who questioned his ability to go all the way in the professional arena.

The former amateur star became a national hero when he won gold at the Olympic Games in Beijing last year.

However, the Hammersmith-born boxer's first fight since turning pro was a turgid affair, as light punching and poor combinations in his win over Vepkhia Tchilaia drew boos from sections of the Birmingham crowd back in February.

However, he stopped his next two opponents in the first round and last Friday showed his punching power has improved tenfold with an explosive third-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Ally Morrison at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

Two huge left hooks followed by a right prompted referee Howard Foster to step in and prevent the Penrith star from more punishment.

DeGale looked assured, confident and, with the sort of venom he now possesses in his gloves, there was only ever going to be one outcome.

"He was pretty tough in there, but I held my own," he said.

"I've got to be winning people over boxing like this and I'm sure I won people over here tonight. It was a great atmosphere and I love the people here."

DeGale was greeted with cheers from the capacity crowd on Friday, and he flew out of the traps on the bell, taking the contest to his rugged opponent with a flurry of head shots.

However, he really unloaded midway through the first, softening up Morrison with a five-shot combo to the ribs that left his opponent gasping for breath.

But, credit to Morrison - he composed himself and stifled DeGale's body shots with some neat defensive work in the second round, before landing a couple of straight rights down the middle.

However, they lacked the power and precision to hurt DeGale, who wasted no time finishing the contest at the start of the third.

Morrison's corner congratulated DeGale on a 'good finish'.

It was better than 'good' - it was uncompromising and a fitting performance to dedicate to his friend and rival Darren Sutherland, who died earlier this year.