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The local boxing community lost another member Thursday, July 11, 2024, when the tragic news came that former professional boxer Anthony "Bad Boy" Burgin was killed in a motorcycle accident. He was 32 years old. After an eventful amateur career, Burgin turned professional on October 12, 2012 at the Philadelphia National Guard Armory, in a scheduled four-round pliminary bout on a card promoted by Greg Robinson's Power Promotions. Burgin entered the ring wearing a black Adidas tee-shirt and blue and white Title boxing trunks. When he removed his shirt, is muscular form reminded fans of a young (and smaller) Matthew Saad Muhammad - broad shoulders, long arms, and a smile that lit up the room. The fight was over quickly. Burgin jumped right on Milton Lopez, a fellow Philadelphian, and dished out enough punishment to convince the corner of Lopez to stop the fight before the second round started. After the bout, I took a photo of Burgin as he left the ring. However, this was not my first encounter with him.
A year or so earlier, while guiding a European writer and photographer from the Netherlands verision of Playboy Magazine around Philadelphia while they were researching a story on Philadelphia's love affair with boxing, I ran into Burgin at the Front Street Gym in Kensington. After a brief discussion and a few photos at the gym, Burgin lead us back to his nearby home where photographer Jeroen Hofman took a wonderful photo of the nineteen-year old sitting on the setps of his house, displaying his amateur championship belts. From that moment, Anthony Burgin was a local boxer that I followed closely and rooted for.
After his successful professional debut, Bugirn won his next seven fights, including a win over Frankie Trader and two against Ramon Ellis. He lost his ninth fight against unbeaten Amos Cowart at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, but rebounded with a first-round TKO of Justin Johnson in Atlantic City. However, he would only fight four more times.
In the final four bouts of his career, Burgin beat Gerald Smith but lost to Divante Jones, Avery Sparrow, and Victor Vazquez. His fight against Sparrow (the next to last of his career) was a memorable, exciting battle that ended in a narrow split decision for Sparrow. It was also one of Burgin's best performances. When he retired from the ring in 2017, Burgin sported a pro record of 10-4, with 2 KOs. His death is a siginificant loss for our boxing community. However, more importantly, his passing is far more tragic for his young family. Burgin leaves behind a wife, Neena, and four young children, Skyla, Naomi, Alina, and Anthony. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing and funeral on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 9:00 AM at the Church of Saint Monica Church, 17th & Ritner Streets, Philadelphia, PA, 19145. The funeral mass begins at 10:30 AM. Interrment is private. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Anthony's name to his wife and children. |
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