Career
In 1969 he turned professional, but retired the same year after winning his both bouts, one by knockout. He then founded a non-profit organization Kriisipalveluyhdistys (Crisis Service) that trains workers how to behave in crisis situations. During his last six years Purhonen suffered from Alzheimer"s disease.
He died in 2011, aged 68, three years after being inducted into the Finnish Boxing Hall of Fame.