James DeGale will launch his professional boxing career at Birmingham's NIA Arena on February 28.

The 2008 Olympic middleweight champion from Harlesden will fight an as yet unconfirmed opponent on the undercard of Matt Skelton's Commonwealth heavyweight title defence against Martin Rogan.

DeGale will be joined on the line-up by fellow Olympians Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders as the Frank Warren stablemates aim to get their pro careers off to a flying start in the four-round fights.

DeGale, who will box around super-middleweight for his first fight before pondering whether to stick to middleweight, said: "The professional side of things is a whole new ball game, but I plan on silencing all those critics who say that I won't make it.

"No one has won a gold medal and gone on to become a world champion in this country before - but I will be the first."

DeGale had originally hoped his maiden pro fight would be staged at at London's O2 or even Wembley Area, near his home. However, he will get his chance to put on a show for fans in the capital as promoter Warren is lining up a a nationwide tour of up to eight shows featuring DeGale, Saunders and Gavin.

"These three are very, very talented fighters and they all have a bright future ahead of them," said Warren. "Amir Khan was very popular with the public when he turned professional, and these three will generate the same kind of interest.

"No Olympic gold medallist from Britain has gone on to become a world champion, so the pressure is on James DeGale. But I really believe he is going to do it."These three will give boxing another lease of life."