When A Heavyweight Boxer Incredibly Left The Ring Seconds After The Bell

One of the most ridiculous moments in boxing occurred on US TV in 2018 as Curtis Harper left the ring as soon as the bell rang.

Harper was squaring off against Nigerian Efe Ajagba in a heavyweight encounter and did all the boxing formalities before bailing. He had his gloves and gear on, made his entrance, listened to the ref's pre-match instructions and touched gloves with his opponent.

Yet when the bout officially started, the 30-year old exited the ring in seconds and headed straight back to the dressing room. The commentators, much like fans in attendance, were in complete and utter disbelief at what they were seeing. I guarantee you'll never seen anything of the sort.

Without a single punch thrown, 25-year old Ajagba was given the easiest of victories as a result of disqualification, with Harper's record moving to 13-6 at the time.

But he wasn't quite channeling a WWE heel/villain, where they roll out the ring and try to take off.

It's emerged that the reason he walked out was because of a compensation dispute and Harper feeling he warranted a better pay packet.

Harper, perhaps unsurprisingly, hasn't fought since, not that he fought on that night either, but Ajagba has gone from strength to strength, winning on some big cards.

He fought on the undercard of Jermell Charlo's loss to Tony Harrison at the Barclay's Center at the end of 2018, at the MGM Grand on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao's historic win over Keith Thurman and at the Toyota Arena as Charlo won his world title back.

Speaking to DAZN last month the Nigerian said the walkout helped him, saying, "He helped me put my profile up. That guy already made my name high up."

The 26-year-old beat Razvan Cojanu last month and he's eyeing a big fight, "I feel it. I feel it. I feel the energy. It's going to come soon - that big fight."

Harper's bizarre actions were partially replicated by British heavyweight Danny Williams, one time conqueror of Mike Tyson, last year.

Williams did his ring walk in civilian clothes climbed into the ring and explained to everyone, including his ready opponent, that he wasn't going to be fighting.

What's the weirdest thing you've seen in boxing?

Topics: American sport, Heavyweight boxing, Boxing News, Boxing, USA

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

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