ENE-PURCELL AND BRACKIN FIGHT FOR HONOUR AND GLORY
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Feb 2020
SINCE 2017 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT NIGHT OF BOXING ALWAYS FALLS IN MARCH. It's the annual show in honour of Brayd Smith, it's the night every Smithy's TGW Gym fighter wants to be centre ring. It's an opportunity to honour a friend and an opportunity to cover yourself in glory.
In 2020, Mach 14 at Rumours International two men will take centre stage with the biggest opportunities of their career. Herman Ene-Purcell fights for a World Youth title and Chris Brackin for the ANBF Australasian super lightweight title.
Heavyweight Herman Ene-Purcell has a long association with Brayd Smith which began when he walked through the doors of Smithy's TGW Gym in 2013. Brayd was one of the first people to hold pads for the footy player who turned to boxing. Brayd was the referee when Ene-Purcell stepped into the ring for the first time as part of a footy tag team fight.
"Brayd was one of the first people who believed in me," Ene-Purcell said.
"He believed in me before I believed in me, I've never forgotten that.
"He was a great friend and a role model for me.
"He walked to the ring with me for my second career fight against Matt Steel and he was in my corner when I fought Paul Gallen for the first time in my third career bout in Sydney.
"He was a great human being who showed us all how life should be lived, he was a wonderful ambassador for our sport and I was lucky enough to call him a friend.
"To fight for a World Youth title on a night in honour of Brayd means so much to me.
"Brayd was a former WBC World Youth Champ and a WBF Asia Pacific Champ so if I could become a WBF World Champion on this night would be something really special to me."
Similar to Herman Ene-Purcell, Chris Brackin has a long association with Brayd Smith.
Brackin shares the same birthday as Brayd and grew up in the gym as an an amateur idolising Brayd.
Brayd Smith was always one to assist Brackin both in the gym and travelling to a number of his amateur fights.
"As an amateur growing up Brayd Smith was all I ever wanted to be," Brackin said.
"He was an amazingly talented fighter but what he taught me was work ethic, no one worked harder than Brayd.
"He was also a great example of how you should portray yourself, he was so well spoken, so well mannered, never in trouble and just the perfect role model for any young person to aspire to be like.
"The time he took to help me is something I'll always remember, nothing was ever too much for Brayd.
"Great memories and he's sorely missed by us all.
"To fight the biggest fight of my career on his night is the ultimate to me.
"There is no bigger honour.
"I understand this is the biggest challenge of my career but i'll do everything I can to have my hand raised on March 14."
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ThunderDome 52 Results: Clarke Defeats Seidu by Controversial Split Decision
Sun, 30 Nov 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND QUOTES FROM TODAY’S OFFICIAL WEIGH-INS AND PRESS CONFERENCE FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS’ HIGHLY ANTICIPATED U.S. DEBUT TOMORROW, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025Tagaytay Hosts 3rd Asian Chess Championship for Disabled 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 29 Nov 2025WEIGHTS FROM PROBOXTV’S ‘THE CONTENDER SERIES’ AT SAVE MART CENTER IN FRESNO, SAT., NOVEMBER 29
Sat, 29 Nov 2025BIRMINGHAM WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS BEN WHITTAKER PREPARES FOR MATCHROOM DEBUT
Fri, 28 Nov 2025Coach Marvin Somodio: Full of Life and Punch at 42
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Boston Ends Detroit's Winning Streak at 12; Celtics Trip Pistons, 117-114 at the Garden
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 28 Nov 20257-Eleven Run 2026 set on Jan. 31-Feb. 1
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 28 Nov 2025Carlos Cañizales Forced to Cancel Flight to Thailand for WBC World Title Defense
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Boxing Champions Promotions to Present Manny Pacquiao & Freddie Roach with Inaugural “Centurion Awards” During Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event on November 29
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Atif Oberlton Takes on Vaughn Alexander on Saturday, December 6th at The 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Iligan tops in PEKAF Mindanao qualifying tourney
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 27 Nov 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2026 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Thu, 27 Nov 2025World Renowned Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Launches Private Boxing Camp in Las Vegas
Thu, 27 Nov 2025Eight Boxers Remain in WBC Grand Prix Finals On December 20
Wed, 26 Nov 2025