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Boxer Curtis Harper Left Ring One Second After Bell Rang In Notorious Fight With Efe Ajagba

Boxer Curtis Harper Left Ring One Second After Bell Rang In Notorious Fight With Efe Ajagba

One of the most infamous nights in boxing occurred in 2018, with Curtis Harper's walkout from his heavyweight bout with Efe Ajagba

Simon Catling

Simon Catling

At one second, Efe Ajagba's victory over Curtis Harper was the quickest win in professional boxing history - but it happened without a single punch being thrown.

In one of the most notorious fight nights of recent years, young up and comer Ajagba was set to test his fledgling undefeated record against the slightly more experienced, but previously defeated American Harper.

The fight at the Minneapolis Armory on 24 August 2018 wouldn't be remembered for its pugilistic excellence though.

Premier Boxing Champions

The then-30-year-old Harper walked into the ring like any boxer would, preparing to fight his heavyweight rival Efe Ajagba.

The boxers did their usual with the referee as the rules were laid out for the fight, before heading to their respective corners - but then the story took a really bizarre, unexpected twist.

As soon as the bell rang, Harper stepped back through the ropes and made his way back up the ramp, leaving Ajagba, his corner, the referee and the crowd in bemusement.

You can watch what happened here:

The referee was given no choice but to award Ajagba victory by disqualification, handing him the quickest victory ever seen in a boxing ring.

At the time, Harper's trainer Nate Campbell was fuming with his charge. Taking to social media he wrote: "This man disrespected himself, his wife, the fans and me."

Journalist Jordan Plant tweeted after the fight: "If y'all are wondering I spoke to Harper and he said he walked out of the ring because he's not getting paid enough to fight and that he wants respect."

In the aftermath of the incident, the event's promoter Leon Margules told BBC Sport the organisers had no idea that Harper was going to leave the ring and said he received no payment as a result.

He said: "He signed a contract and agreed to the fight. First time we heard about money issues was after he left the ring. He weighed in and showed up on time and even touched gloves before the bell. It is strange.

"If he didn't like the deal, why did he accept the fight and money?"

Premier Boxing Champions

In a later interview given to Sporting News, Harper claimed there was never a returned countersigned signed contract from the promoter.

He said: "I signed the contract, but they never gave me a signed contract back.

"They told me that there was no TV, and then it was a TV fight. I kept asking for the signed contract, and they wouldn't give it to me."

The fighter said it was only in the dressing room that he decided he was going to walk out on the fight.

He continued: "I pretty much made up my mind in the dressing room, but I wasn't sure. Then, when we touched gloves and I saw one of the people who hadn't done right by me in the other corner, that was it."

It's unlikely the full truth will ever come out. Harper hasn't fought since that night and seems all but retired.

Ajagba meanwhile continues to move through the heavyweight division, yet to be defeated and with 15 wins - including one incredibly infamous one - to his name.

Featured Image Credit: Premier Boxing Champions

Topics: SPORT, Boxing