Herman Ene-Purcell is talking up his chances of levelling the score against NSW Origin rugby league skipper Paul Gallen now that a rematch has been confirmed for late January in Toowoomba.
Gallen made an exhilarating professional boxing debut in early 2014 when he climbed off the canvas to stop Ene-Purcell in two frantic rounds in Sydney.
But Ene-Purcell believes he's now a better boxer and can exact his revenge on January 29.
"The first fight was a great experience but I didn't get the result I wanted," the Toowoomba-based New Zealander said after it was confirmed contracts for the bout had been signed.
"I scored a knock down in the first round but I wasn't able to finish the job. This time I believe I can."
Ene-Purcell said he'd improved since the February 2014 contest, as had Gallen, "so it's going to be a great fight".
The boxer's manager and trainer, Brendon Smith, said having Gallen fight in Toowoomba was "huge" for the city.
"This promises to be one of the biggest sporting events in Toowoomba's history," Smith said in a statement on Friday.
"It's been a busy few days of negotiations but I thank Paul's manager David Riolo for his assistance in putting this one together."
Rugged Cronulla, NSW and Kangaroos forward Gallen has a 4-0 professional record after beating fellow NRL player Bodene Thompson last week.
The 34-year-old heavyweight has been given the go-ahead from Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan for the January 29 bout despite it coming just two months before the start of the 2016 NRL season.
The fight is also just one week before the Auckland Nines.
Gallen stands to earn at least $50,000 for the five-round bout regardless of the result.
