Boxer walks out of ring after bell, ditches fight for money reasons (Video)
Heavyweight boxers Curtis Harper and Efe Ajagba were all set to do battle at a Premier Boxing Champions event in Minnesota on Friday night. They bumped firsts, then headed to their respective corners. The bell rung. And …
Harper decided there would be no fight.
Within one second of the bell, he ducked through the ropes, out of the ring. He walked back to his locker room to the astonishment, and then the boos, of fans:
.@AjagbaEfe came ready for war, but #CurtisHarper said otherwise! ✌🏿 #ImOut #AjagbeHarper #PBConFS1 pic.twitter.com/YaJkKPhXK2
— PBC (@premierboxing) August 25, 2018
PBC commentator Jordan Hardy, who claimed to have spoken to Harper, said the 30-year-old ditched the bout “because he’s not getting paid enough” and “wants respect.”
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. 🤦🏻♀️ #AjagbaHarper #PBConFS1
— Jordan Hardy (@PBCJordanHardy) August 25, 2018
When Harper did not return from the locker room, Ajagba was awarded a win by disqualification. He’ll still get his payday. Harper reportedly won’t.
Ajagba, a 24-year-old Nigerian, improved to 7-0 – with 5 KOs and now one victory via DQ – in his young career.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• ESPN anchor has had it with football
• Dan Wetzel: Culture of cover-up helped save Urban Meyer’s job
• Former MSU coach faces charges tied to Nassar investigation
• Ex-NBA ref: Suspension changed my life