A HAND injury has forced light middleweight James Moore 16-1 (10 KOS) to pull out of his scheduled October 4 fight in Philadelphia.

Moore was sparring a few weeks ago in Gleason's Gym when he felt a shooting pain in his right hand. Medical tests reveal that the 30-year-old has tendon damage and is out for three months.

The disappointment is all the worse for Moore as he was gearing up for a busy end of year schedule, which included the fight in Philly and an appearance on the Joe Calzaghe/Roy Jones Jr. undercard at MSG on November 8.

Also, the Wicklow native was just getting to grips with new trainer Lennox Blackmore, and this enforced absence will break the momentum that the two had gained.

"I'm terribly disappointed," said the 30-year-old. "I hope to heal up as quickly as possible, and I will look forward to making my Philadelphia debut very soon."

"Of course it's a disappointment to not have James on the show," said promoter Tom Moran. "When the word went out that he was fighting here, my phone was ringing off the hook. There is still a lot of interest in the card, so the show will go on.

Philly-based Galweigan middleweight Simon O'Donnell (6-1, 3 kos) will still be fighting in an eight round co-main event. The 22-year-old's opponent still has to be confirmed.