MORE than 100 boxing fans turned up for yesterday's 'High Noon in Hong Kong' showdown, unaware it had been scrapped at the last minute.
The ticket holders arrived at the Hong Kong Stadium before 10 am, the scheduled start of the event, oblivious to the Saturday night cancellation until they read notices on the arena's locked gates.
The fans, many from overseas, said refunds on tickets alone were not enough.
'What about our air tickets and hotel rooms?' said an American fan. 'We just flew in yesterday specifically to see the fights, especially the title fight, and what happens? I can't believe they can just drop it the day before.' The event was scrapped during a free-for-all verbal confrontation at Saturday night's weigh-in in which promoters, managers and fighters blamed each other for the $31 million tournament's lack of funding and ticket sales.
About 8,000 tickets were sold by late on Saturday. The stadium has a capacity of 40,000.
British heavyweight Frank Bruno, who was scheduled to fight American Ray Mercer, checked out of his hotel suite last night disappointed with the weekend's proceedings but none-the-less eager to return.
'It's a disappointment but that's life, you know. But I like Hong Kong . . . I'll be back.' He was joined by the equally disappointed heavyweight title holder, Herbie Hide, and middleweight champ Steve Collins on a night flight back to Heathrow.