JAMES DeGale will face his toughest opponent yet in the form of hard-as-nails Welshman Nathan King next month.

The Harlesden hero, who won Olympic gold in Beijing last year, has won his last three fights by stoppage and is eyeing his first title fight in 2010.

But first he has to get past granite-jawed King in a light-heavy-weight six-rounder at the Metro Radio Arena on December 5, where he will form part of the under-card to Amir Khan's WBA World Light-Welterweight title defence against Dimitry Salita.

The only men to have stopped King so far are former British champion Tony Quigley and worldrated Frenchman Jean Paul Mendy, and DeGale knows he has his work cut out to join that list.

"He's going to be dangerous because he's fought for titles before, including a version of the world super-middleweight crown," said DeGale, 23.

"The only people who have stopped him are Tony Quigley and Jean Paul Mendy so that tells you that he's going to be tough.

"Back in March he fought Kenny Anderson up in Scotland for the Celtic title and I thought he won that fight quite easily, but he lost it on the scorecards.

"If I can do a number on him then it is going to send out a big statement to the domestic division."

DeGale insists the boxing public have yet to see the best of him despite last month's impressive performance over previously unbeaten Cumbrian Ally Morrison in Liverpool.

The Londoner's improved punching power was there for all to see as he breezed to a third round victory for his fourth professional win.

"People have only seen about 10 per cent of what I can do at the moment," he added. "I'm really buzzing in the gym at the moment and I want a challenge because I feel like I'm getting better every day. This is the kind of fight I need though right now in my career."

King - a 28-year-old from Mountain Ash - won't be fazed by facing DeGale as for years he worked with Joe Calzaghe.

And he's also gone the distance with the likes of Tony Oakey, Tony Dodson, Stevie McGuire, Eric Teymour and Anderson.

"James is a great talent but I'll be far too experienced for him," said King.

"He's still a baby in the pros and I'll give him a lesson he won't forget."

For tickets, which range in price from £30 to £300, call the Metro Radio Arena on 0844 248 5013.