UNBEATEN BURGIN RETURNS HOME ON MAY 16 PRELIMINARY CARD AT 2300 ARENA IN SOUTH PHILLY Philadelphia, PA—Unbeaten lightweight Anthony Burgin makes his first local start in 17 months when he takes on fellow- Philadelphian Ramon Ellis in a scheduled six-round lightweight contest on Friday evening, May 16, at the 2300 Arena in South Philadelphia. Topping the seven-bout card is a pair of eight-round contests: Naim Nelson, of Philadelphia, and Jerome Rodriguez, of Trenton, NJ, junior welterweights; Joey Dawejko, Philadelphia, vs. Mark Rideout, Philadelphia, heavyweights. clip_image010 The seven-bout program is first pro fight card at the 2300 Arena since Jan. 21, 2012, when then-unknown heavyweight prospect Bryant Jennings upset Maurice Byarm in a battle of undefeated Philadelphians to open the NBC Sports Network Fight Night series. Formerly known as the ECW Arena, the New Alhambra and later the Asylum Arena, the 2300 Arena, located at Swanson & Ritner Streets in South Philadelphia, has undergone renovations and eventually will seat close to 1,700 spectators for boxing. First fight May 16 is set for 7.30p.m. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing and BAM Boxing in association with SugarHouse Casino. Burgin (left), 22, is 6-0, 1 K0, but has not boxed here since Dec. 8, 2012, when he earned a four-round decision over neighbor Kenneth Brown at McGonigle Hall on the campus of Temple University. Two months earlier, Burgin had turned pro with a first-round knockout over Milton Lopez, of Puerto Rico, at the National Guard Armory in Northeast Philadelphia. clip_image011 Since those first two fights, Burgin has won four times in Atlantic City. In his last fight there April 12, he got off the canvas in the third round to pound out a unanimous six-round decision over another Philadelphia, Frank Trader. Ellis, 31, is only 4-10-2, 2 K0s, but has pulled off a pair of shocking upsets: a six-round decision over Tim Witherspoon, Jr., of Philadelphia; a first-round knockout over Samuel Quinones, of Reading, PA, and a pair of draws with Tyrone Luckey, of Middletown, NJ, and Frank Santos De Alba, of Reading. Another six-round features 17-year-old Milton Santiago (right), of Philadelphia, against Steamin’ Josh Beeman, of Providence, RI. Santiago is 4-0, 3 K0s, since turning pro earlier this year. Beeman may be 5-16-3, 2 K0s, but last year upset unbeaten prospect Carlos Candelario, of Lawrence, MA. Four four-round bouts complete the card: Nathaniel Rivas, Lindenwold, NJ, vs. Jovan Sosa, Bronx, NY, junior welterweights; David Gonzales, Philadelphia, vs. Omar Brito, Pleasantville, NJ, junior welterweights; Andrew Peurifoy, Sicklerville, NJ, vs. Hector Perez, Atlantic City, NJ, cruiserweights; Vincent Floyd, Philadelphia, vs. Sharif Jones, Philadelphia, middleweights. ABOUT MAY 16 The Nelson-Rodriguez and Dawejko-Rideout fights top a seven- bout card at the 2300 Arena. First fight is 7.30 pm. Tickets are priced at $50 and $75 and they are on sale at the offices of Peltz Boxing (215-765-0922) and they also can be purchased on line at www.peltzboxing.com. The card will be streamed live on the internet by www.gofightlive.tv. It also will be aired on delay on Comcast SportsNet, beginning June 2. The card is being promoted by Peltz Boxing Promotions, Inc., and BAM Boxing in association with SugarHouse Casino. The 2300 Arena, formerly known as the New Alhambra, hosted consistent professional boxing from 2004 thru 2012 when it was later known as the Asylum Arena. Boxing cards there have been televised by ESPN 2, CN8, Univision and the NBC Sports Network. Fighters who have boxed there include Danny Garcia, Bronco McKart, Omar Sheika, Demetrius Hopkins, Mike Jones, Teon Kennedy, Bryant Jennings, Gabriel Rosado, Jesus Soto- Karass, Ronald Cruz, Israel “Pito” Cardona and Derek Ennis. ABOUT SUGARHOUSE CASINO SugarHouse, which opened in September 2010 as Philly’s casino, features 1,602 slots, up to 58 table games, fun and unique dining options, riverfront views and free on-site parking. The casino employs approximately 1,100 people, and for three consecutive years has been voted a “Best Place to Work” in the Philadelphia Business Journal and a “Top Workplace” from Philly.com. For more information, visit www.sugarhousecasino.com..