ANDRE `Stone’ Purlette was 31 years old when he tackled Sam `Slam Bam’ Tillman at the Punch Fitness Centre in Florida on July 9, 2005. The fight was the main event of a six-bout card and was scheduled for eight rounds. However, Purlette needed only two in order to take care of his American opponent who was four years younger.
Referee James Waring halted the contest at one minute three seconds of the second stanza to hand the TKO victory to the Guyanese.
Purlette started out as a light heavyweight in Guyana during December 1992. He had nine fights in his homeland (winning eight by knockouts) before leaving for the USA in 1995.
He climbed up one division to cruiserweight and while in the USA Purlette racked up 23 more consecutive victories before meeting Cuban-American Eliester Castillo.
The Guyanese was TKOed after referee Brian Garry stopped the contest at two minutes 58 seconds of the fifth round.
Purlette, who eventually moved to heavyweight, last fought in 2009 and has a record of 40 victories from 44 fights. He boxed 134 rounds and has a 79 percent knockout average and is now a fitness trainer in Florida.