Fans will get their monies worth as two of Southern California's top young fighters participate in tonight's "Boxeo De Oro" card put on by Golden Boy Promotions -- the company founded by Oscar De La Hoya -- at the Grand Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.

The main event features undefeated junior bantamweight and 2000 U.S. Olympic team member Jose Navarro, 16-0 with 7 KOs, versus fellow prospect Jorge Luis "Speedy" Gonzales, 15-2 with 6 KOs. The co-featured bout features 130-pound prospect "Mighty" Mike Anchondo against veteran spoiler Roque Cassiani.

The Navarro-Gonzalez fight has been in the making for quite some time. Both fighters have been know as the best L.A. fighters in the flyweight and bantamweight range for the past two to three years. Local boxing insiders have wondered for years who would win should the two fight.

"It's a fight I was anticipating since the beginning of the year," Gonzales told MaxBoxing.com, "and it's something every fighter works for -- fighting a big name fighter."

Navarro concurs. "I feel good about myself going into this fight," said the slick southpaw. "It's a tough fight but I'm ready and that's what gives me the confidence to go in there and do my best. He's a great opponent, a strong slick fighter. I'm not underestimating him at all. It will be a tough fight because we are two young fighters wanting to be world champion and it's going to be an interesting fight."

Gonzales agrees the fight will be tough.

"This will be the hardest test of my career because he is a southpaw and it's a different type of training and fighting," he said. "You must do everything backwards by throwing more rights and less lefts, your jabbing hand. I had to do basic hard work, running more, sparring more in the gym. But I'm ready for this fight."

Two things are now in Navarro's mind. One is the public perception of him as a fighter. After a disappointing showing in the 2000 Olympics, Navarro turned pro and has been improving as a fighter, although not good enough for some boxing fans who crave spectacular, KO wins from the sport's so-called hot prospects.

"Some people are never happy with what they see," Navarro said. "After the last fight I had with Carlos Madrigal (at the January 16 Olympic Auditorium card), they were saying that he sold himself (out). I think fighters don't get enough credit, but I'm at that stage to prove myself, to get respect."

The Madrigal fight was Navarro's best showing to date. He knocked down the rugged Madrigal three times before the referee called a halt to the action in the second round. Madrigal was sent to hospital for observation and was paid a visit by De La Hoya to make sure he was fine.

"I was really proud of myself," Navarro remembers. "But it's only the beginning of a great career for me. Those are the experiences I have to go through to be a great champion. I did a great job that night."

Navarro's number-two concern is the maintenance of his boxing career, followed by his health and financial security. He plans to go to college after retirement.

"I'm not going to be in the sport very long," Navarro said. "I have five more years and I'll take care of myself and my money. I am going to work as hard as I can, but you want to come out (of boxing) with your brains (intact)."

The semi-main event of Cassiani, 21-11 with 15 KOs, and Anchondo, 20-0 (16), promises to be a bruising 10-round lightweight bout, given the fighters KO percentages. Both fighters feel the bout is a good test of each of their abilities.

"I give God thanks for the opportunity," Cassiani said. "It will be no surprise. He's seen me fight and I've seen him fight."

Anchondo echoes the sentiment.

"It's a great experience," the youngster said. "He's a veteran but it's going to be me teaching the teacher. I'm ready to go and he's ready to go. I've been training with the best. I know he's ready but I'm more ready and that's the way it goes down. He's been in with the best and to be the best, you have to beat the best. He's a tough man."

Cassiani is on a mission for redemption after a disappointing fight with Diego Corrales February 22 at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Clifford Ettienne bout. The fight was stopped after the 1st round when Cassiani dislocated his right elbow.

Cassiani entered the Corrales fight with an elbow that was already injured during his previous fight (with Edelmiro "Tiger" Martinez). "I felt pain from the Martinez fight but I never thought it was anything big. (But in the Corrales fight) I threw a punch and hyper-extended the elbow. I tried to continue but couldn't because the pain was so severe.

"I under went rehabilitation for 15 days. I saw a doctor and he gave me anti-inflammatory pills plus different medications. Now, I'm at 100 percent. I was cleared to fight by the doctor. I tested out the arm with sparring and there's no pain."

Cassiani's fight for redemption and respect goes way back. He is seen as a tough journeyman who often does just enough to lose. He's gone the distance with world champions Wilfredo Vazquez, who he dropped en route to a close decision loss and Juan Manuel Marquez. But he's also recently defeated a young prospect in Justo Sencion.

"Nobody has taken me seriously since I fought Wilfredo Vazquez in 1997," Cassiani said. "This is a great opportunity so people can be aware of who I am and after the victory, they will respect me more."

As for the future, both fighters have similar goals.

"I will overcome any obstacles in my way because I want to be the next junior lightweight champion." Anchondo said. "I want to challenge all the champions to be the champion."

Cassiani also pondered the next step.

"In the future, providing things go my way, I want a rematch with Corrales and prove to be the better caliber fighter," he said.

Tickets for tonight's fights are still available at TicketMaster outlets and at the Olympic box office.