LOS ANGELES -- Julio Gonzalez wiped off dinner tables with a wet cloth and gathered empty water glasses in a restaurant just a few years ago. Now he's fighting one of the world's most dangerous fighters.

When Gonzalez (27-0, 17 KOs) walks into the Staples Center on Saturday to face Roy Jones Jr. (44-1, 36 KOs), the undisputed light heavyweight champion, he's completing a long-awaited goal.

"Man, I've been training for this chance and waiting for this chance for a long time," said Gonzalez, an Orange County resident born in Mexico. "I can't let it get away in one night."

Gonzalez, who attended Sonora and Edison high schools, shares something with a fighter known by many as the world's greatest fighter today.

Jones, like Gonzalez, came away from the Olympics without a gold medal. Jones was robbed by the judges at the Seoul Games in 1988 and Gonzalez was stopped in the first round by the eventual best boxer, Vassiliy Jirov, during the 1996 Olympics.

"I don't let it affect me as much," Gonzalez said.

Since the Olympics, Jones has gathered up world titles like a human plowing machine.

He's won middleweight titles, super middleweight titles and all of the light heavyweight belts. All Gonzalez gathered was garlic in the hot Mexican fields, and he worked as a bowling alley attendant and handyman.

"I've done a lot of things," Gonzalez said softly.

Now he's facing a fighter some believe could be boxing's best ever. Even better than Sugar Ray Robinson. The rapid-talking Jones is fighting in California for the first time.

"I'm very enthusiastic fighting on the West Coast," said Jones, who makes Pensacola, Fla., his home. "My opponent is a very tough fighter. I never take any opponent lightly."

Jones' greatest opponent seemingly comes from the press. Criticism has mounted against the speedy fighter in the last few years. Especially after several failed negotiations with WBO light heavyweight champion Dariusz Michalczewski, who fights out of Germany.

"I'm not going to go to Germany," Jones insists, adding that he's the person with three legitimate title belts and the main attraction. "If he were in my shoes, then I would go to Germany."

Because of his quick-striking power, Jones has yet to face an opponent the boxing world dubs worthy. The last fighter of equal merit was James Toney in 1994. Perhaps, Gonzalez will be the most worthy foe, Jones said.

"As long as there are challenges of undefeated guys like Julio and Felix Trinidad, I'm going to be more than ready and willing to take advantage of them," Jones said, using newly crowned super middleweight champion Eric Lucas, a former opponent, as an example.

"When I fight them (undefeated fighters), they have the potential to be world champions."

Gonzalez, seeking to be a world champion, hopes he topples Jones from the top of boxing's pedestal.

"He's just another fighter and has two hands. I have two hands," Gonzalez said with conviction. "Why not me win?"

Why not?