Herman Ene Purcell on Paul Gallen: “I look at him as a fighter”

 
SOME people have to wait lifetime for a second chance. Herman Ene Purcell waited just 23 months.

 
The 21-year-old is only weeks away from an unlikely rematch with a man who is known as many things; most notably as the captain for both the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and New South Wales State of Origin team.

 
There are many terms used to describe Paul Gallen, one of them being his seasonal role as a professional boxer.

 
Gallen, 34, will enter the squared circle for only the fifth time as a professional on January 29th at Rumours International in Toowoomba, where he will grant Herman Ene Purcell a second chance at redemption.

 
The pair first met just under two years ago as a side attraction as part of a stacked bill presented by Grange Old School Boxing, on a night where Garth Wood had his retirement sticker stamped by a resurgent Daniel Geale.

 
Spectators of the sport, both long-lasting and seasonal, expected many things from their four-round stoush.

 
But those with even the loftiest of expectations would not have anticipated the harsh initiation that met Gallen.

 
Just over a minute into his professional debut, Purcell launched a thudding left hook which floored Gallen. The New South Welshman was stunned and clearly hurt, but he found a way to survive the opening stanza.

 
As history would have it, Gallen would go on to win the entertaining scrap in the following round. After a lengthy campaign from Purcell’s team – including a $50,000 purse offer – their charge gets a chance to right a wrong.

 
In an interview with Aus-Boxing, Purcell (now 7-4, 4 KOs) concedes that he never expected to land a rematch.

 
“To be honest, not really,” admitted Purcell when asked if he ever expected to meet Gallen (4-0, 2 KOs) again.

 
“I mean we’ve been turned down that many times, I just thought it wasn’t going to happen,” he continued.

 
“But luckily I have one of the best managers in town. Brendon Smith makes things happen for me,”

 
In the time that has passed – Purcell has fought a further eight times – scoring six wins. Of those six victories, five have taken place inside of Queensland with a lone victory on the road in Hangzhou, China, last year.

 
Those experiences have given Purcell an improved understanding of the sport, which he sees as invaluable.

 
“I’ve gotten ring experience,” he explained. “I’ve gained real good ring experience and having a great trainer,”

 
“He’s taught me a lot of good skills that have improved me as a fighter,”

 
Unlike those before him, Gallen does not carry the usual stigma that surrounds a rugby league convert trying his luck in boxing. Purcell is treating this as a real fight, against someone who in his eyes, is a real fighter.

 
“Gallen’s been around the sport for a while, he understands what boxing is and knows what he’s getting into,”

 
“I don’t look at him as a league player,” he concluded. “I look at him as a fighter,”

 
 
Photo: Louie Abigail/Photography by Rockfingrz