in march 1926 brand became national champion in the light heavyweight category after winning met a knock out from herman van 't hof. the next year, in april 1927 he defended succesfully his national title in a match against arie van vliet after the match was stopped due to medical concertns of the ear of van vliet. in 1928 brand became national light heavyweight champion, after herman van 't hof failed to defend the title.