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James DeGale admits even he has been surprised by his punching power since turning professional.

The 2008 Olympic gold medalist enjoyed a London homecoming at Wembley Arena by stopping tough Matthew Barr in the second round of his sixth professional contest.

DeGale's five previous professional fights had been something of a mixed bag, the southpaw receiving a hostile reception after his debut in Birmingham last February before winning over the public in his four subsequent appearances.

However, his punching has come on leaps and bounds under trainer Jim McDonnell and that was in evidence against 32-year-old Barr, flooring him three times in the second round and forcing the stoppage - his fourth from six fights.

"The power is definitely coming on better than I had expected," said DeGale.

"If you look at my first fight I was tip-tapping, I threw about six power shots.

"Now, while not every shot is a power shot, I think the opponents are feeling it. The power is coming on fantastically.

"I pick my punches well. That's what Jim is trying to drill into me in the gym.

"I think I'm coming on well and there's more to come from me, I'm going to get better and better."

DeGale admitted the pressure was on with it being his long-awaited 'homecoming'.

"I was feeling nerves but I was more excited, with my entrance and all the people I'd invited and the tickets I'd sold," he said. "I was more nervous about putting on a good show and I think I did, I think they were happy."

A British title shot is on the horizon some time this year and 'Chunky' DeGale is typically confident.

He said: "I'm ready whenever. If Frank said to me this morning 'Oh, we need you to jump in and box for the British title' I would have done it.

"Definitely by the end of the year I want to be some sort of domestic champion.

"The future's bright, the future is Chunky. Trust me."