NEW YORK — The ailing economy has derailed a boxing card at Madison Square Garden less than two weeks before the fighters were scheduled to step in the ring.

Irish Ropes Promotions announced Friday that the card, scheduled for March 16 in the Garden's smaller WaMu Theater, was canceled due to poor advance ticket sales.

Among the fighters scheduled to compete were Andy Lee, a 2004 Irish Olympian and top middleweight prospect, and former world title challenger Antwun Echols.

Irish Ropes president Eddie McLoughlin said tickets already sold will be reimbursed.

"This was a very difficult decision to make," McLoughlin said, apologizing to all the boxers who had been preparing for their fights.