Boxing has always been a place where unexpected things happen, and the game can end in a blink and leave the opponents devastated. In football, you know a normal game will be completed in 90 minutes, but one cannot expect a game to go on for 12 boxing rounds.
This 2018 event will highlight the uncertainty of the game. Curtis Harper, a professional boxer, left the ring moments later. The bell rang in the fight against Efe Ajagba, leaving the fans in total shock.
Curtis Harper is an American boxer who walked out of the ring right after the bell rang. He spent 8 years in obscurity before winning the crucial fight on 24 August. Between 2014 and 2018, in those three years, he won a match after knocking Andrew Greeley in the third round of the match.
Who is Curtis Harper?
Curtis was born on June 25, 1988, in Jacksonville, U.S. He spent his childhood in Jacksonville, where he was schooled. His parent is African-American.
While growing up, he always wanted to become a boxer. He trained hard in his teenage years and went against some of the opponents. His dreams of becoming a professional boxer were fulfilled in 2010 when he got his first fight at the age of 22.
Professional Career
Curtis began his pro career in 2010. His debut happened against Yasmany Consuegra at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, U.S. He lost the match because of a technical knockout. He learned a lot after his first career defeat, went back to basics, changed his approach to the game, and made the required changes to get better.
He fought David Roy in the second match and managed to win by technical knockout in the first round.
This win gave him a boost in his confidence, and he went on to win the next six fights in a row. Out of those six victories, three came from knockouts, two through technical knockouts, and one through unanimous judge decision.
Later, in a fight with Gerald Washington, he saw his second defeat in his boxing career. He also posted a third game against Donovan Dennis. Later, he fought Earl Ladson at Benton Convention Centre, United States.
He won the match after six rounds through a unanimous decision. Between 2014 and 2017, he fought seven fights, won five fights, and posted only two. Before facing Efe Ajagba, he fought against Andrew Greeley and won through a technical knockout.
Why did Harper leave the ring?
His fight against Ajagba was filled with controversies. In 2018, Curtis was set to go against Efe Ajagba at the Minneapolis Armory, United States.
Efe Ajagba was confident and had a great record before this match, with six straight victories. Five of them had knockouts and were expecting a clean win against Curtis too.
Both the players reached the ring and walked to the center of it, getting the final instructions from the referee. They went to their corners, but as soon as the bell rang, Curtis Harper took an exit from the ring.
He left everyone in complete shock, and the audience booed him as he left the ground. Naturally, Ajagba was declared the winner as Curtis was disqualified.
According to Patrick Reusee of ESPN, Curtis wished to see the contract before the fight. Booby Brunette from Minnesota Boxing Commission told Curtis that he had already signed the contract has already been filed.
In an interview with Premier Boxing Champion Jordan Hardy, he said that he was not getting paid enough and wanted to see some respect.
In an interview after the incident, Curtis said that he wanted to make a statement because he felt that he was underpaid to fight Ajagba.
He said that he decided to walk out when they both touched the gloves. He looked at Efe’s shoulder and saw Chico Rivas. He felt disrespected as he believed that he did not have a contract and the matchmaker Rivas should be in his corner.
Is Curtis married?
Since he began boxing, the athlete has kept his life private and out of his boxing career. But his wife was seen accompanying him in some of his boxing matches.
Curtis’s wife’s name is Sandra Rosenberg. Their story of marriage is unknown. Despite being husband and wife, the couple has never come out in public.
