McNEELEY OFF FLORIAN HALL CARD

FIGHT NIGHT TO BENEFIT WORLD TRADE CENTER POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS

"Hurricane" Peter McNeeley

"Hurricane" Peter McNeeley will not be fighting on the Friday night boxing card at Florian Hall in Dorchester as previously announced. The fights are being staged to raise money for firefighters and policemen injured in the World Trade Center bombing rescue effort.

McNeeley was scheduled to appear in the headline bout. His slated opponent backed out earlier this week and efforts to line up a suitable replacement fell through.

"I'm disappointed," McNeeley said. "This is a great cause and I really wanted to participate." McNeeley had made arrangements to donate his purse from the bout to the fund.

McNeeley's manager Vinnie Vecchione is one of the primary organizers of the event and says that the show will go on, however. Fighters on tap include Massachusetts heavyweight champion Dan Conway, undefeated cruiserweight prospect Colm Keane from Galway, Ireland, heavyweights Willie Barnes and John Rainwater, cruiserweight Roy Payne, and undefeated middleweight Bubba Conway.

Tickets are being distributed to Boston-area firefighters and policemen but a limited number of seats may be available to the general public at the box office Friday night. Ringside seats are $50, general admission is $30. Doors open at 6:30.