Maussa (left) and Harris fought a bizarre bout

In an amazing first round Harris seemed set for a quick win over an amateurish looking opponent, but Maussa connected with some wild, swinging shots.

Harris launched a series of stinging blows in the third but midway through the fight both men looked burned out.

Then the erratic Maussa caught Harris on the chin with a stunning left hook.

Harris, who had 25 wins (17KOs), one loss and one draw, won his title in October 2002 when he knocked out Cuba's Diosbelys Hurtado in two rounds.

But after the first round when Maussa's eye appeared to be closing over, he appeared to have little answer against the unorthodox 33-year-old, who had 17 wins (15KOs) against two defeats from a previously unheralded background, much of it in Colombia.

In a bizarre end to the fight, Maussa rushed over to Harris, spreadeagled on the canvas, and landed a right to the head.

That act could have disqualified him but referee Earl Brown said afterwards that the late hit was "insignificant."

"I'm speechless, I can't believe what I've seen," said watching IBF champion Ricky Hatton, who had considered a bout against Harris.

Harris, 27, has a re-match clause in the contract for the fight, but admitted that his performance was not deserving of victory.

"He's the best man. I take nothing away from him. He beat me," Harris said. "I'm definitely looking forward to my rematch."