THE 'High Noon In Hong Kong' boxing tournament turned into a war of words last night after an unprecedented last-minute cancellation led to bitter feuding about who was responsible for the debacle.
Promoters, managers and fighters blamed one another as all parties in the $31 million event at the Hong Kong Stadium sought to distance themselves from its failure to go ahead.
High Noon was to have been the biggest sporting event put on in the territory - apart from the Rugby Sevens - and was to have featured four bouts, including three world title fights.
The main event was to be a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) heavyweight championship clash between the holder Herbie Hide of Britain and American challenger Tommy Morrison.
The eight boxers and their entourages gathered in the ballroom of the Regal Hotel in Causeway Bay at 5.30 pm yesterday for what they thought was going to be the traditional eve of fight weigh-in.
But in a shock turnaround Barry Hearn of the Matchroom stable, for whom Hide and Irishman Steve Collins were due to fight, read out a statement announcing the cancellation. It was jointly signed by Bob Arum, whose Top Rank organisation was co-presenting the event.