Toowoomba heavyweight Herman Ene-Purcell doesn't just want to beat Paul Gallen in the NSW State of Origin captain's professional boxing debut, he wants to knock him out.
Ene-Purcell will have the entire state of Queensland behind him next Wednesday at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion when the pair face-off on the undercard of the fight between Daniel Geale and Garth Wood.
The NSW skipper is a figure much loathed north of the Tweed, particularly after his brawl with Maroons star Nate Myles in last year's Origin series.
Ene-Purcell, 19, goes into the fight with a 1-1 professional record with his sole victory coming by knockout and his reputation being that of a hard-hitter who specialises in one-punch fight-stoppers.
The teenager says he's only too aware of how much Queenslanders want him to emerge victorious in next week's bout.
"People at the pub find out I'm fighting Paul Gallen and they all say "I hope you knock him on his a***"," Ene-Purcell said.
"I'll try my best to do it for Queensland, for myself and for my family.
"I'm not just going there to hurt him. I'm going there to win."
Ene-Purcell says Gallen's workhorse reputation and his performances in two previous charity fights show he's an opponent not to underestimate.
But he feels he's got the edge considering Gallen will be fighting in a ring for the first time without headgear and with smaller gloves.
"Without a doubt he's going to be fit," Ene-Purcell said.
"In saying that, it's going to be different. No headgear. Smaller gloves. Hopefully I'll stun him in the first round."
