Shortest Boxing Match in History: Over in 1 Second
On August 24, 2018, Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba achieved an unbelievable boxing milestone in Minneapolis. His match against Curtis Harper lasted only one second, marking the shortest professional boxing match in history. Right after the bell rang, Harper left the ring and was disqualified. Not a single punch was thrown. Harper later mentioned that it was a protest concerning his contract and salary. This remains the quickest victory in professional boxing history and one of the most bizarre incidents the sport has witnessed.
Image source: Frame grab from (“Ajagba vs Harper Full Fight”) © Youtube(PremierBoxingChampions)
The Boxers: Efe Ajagba vs. Curtis Harper
Efe Ajagb (The Silent Roller)
Efe Ajagba, born April 22, 1994, in Ughelli, Nigeria, switched from football to boxing in 2011. He won bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, gold at the 2015 African Games, and fought at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Ajagba went pro in 2017 with manager Shelly Finkel and made a big splash starting 5‑0, all by knockout, most in the early rounds. Standing 6’5″ with serious power, he quickly became one of the hottest heavyweight prospects. This leads to his wild one‑second fight with Curtis Harper in 2018.
Curtis Harper(The Hurt)
Curtis Harper was born on June 24, 1988, in Jacksonville, Florida and he went pro in 2010 after competing as an amateur locally. He’s a tough fighter known for his power, having achieved victories against Joshua Tufte and Andrew Greeley. He faced defeats against contenders like Chris Arreola and Zhilei Zhang. By 2018, his record stood at 13 wins and 6 losses, with 9 of those wins coming by knockout. He made headlines when he walked out just one second into his match against Efe Ajagba to protest his pay, making it the shortest professional boxing match in history.
| Detail | Efe Ajagba | Curtis Harper |
| Full Name | Efe Ajagba | Curtis Tyrone Harper |
| Nickname | The Silent Roller | The Hurt |
| Date of Birth | April 22, 1994 | June 24, 1988 |
| Birthplace | Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria | Jacksonville, Florida, USA |
| Height | 6′6″ (198 cm) | 6′2″ (188 cm) |
| Reach | 85″ (216 cm) | 78½″ (199 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Record Before Fight | 5‑0 (5 KOs) | 13‑6 (9 KOs) |
| Fight Date | August 24, 2018 | August 24, 2018 |
| Fight Location | The Armory, Minneapolis, USA | The Armory, Minneapolis, USA |
Aftermath
The fight between Efe Ajagba and Curtis Harper became one of the strangest moments in boxing history. It concluded in just one second when Harper left the ring immediately after the bell, marking it as the shortest professional fight ever. The video went viral online, sparking debates among fans about fighter salaries, contracts, and whether Harper’s actions were a protest or simply unprofessional. Beyond being just a wild statistic, it highlighted the unpredictability of boxing. Often, the most discussed matches are the ones that hardly take place.
