Roger "Speedy" Gonzalez was solid on Thursday night at the Irvine Marriott, scoring a shutout victory over Anthony Martinez in the 8 round bantamweight main event. Gonzalez of Chino, California was coming off the first loss of his career, but bounced back in solid fashion in the "Battle of the Ballroom" main event. Martinez a native of Costa Rica, was a late sub, having just fought one week prior as a featherweight. Martinez was game, but just had no answers for the faster and more active Gonzalez.

Gonzalez set the pace in round one, landing solid overhand rights. Martinez was farely inactive for most of the opening round, but picked it up late. Gonzalez showed a complete arsenal going to the head and body successfully in round one. In round two Gonzalez again was the aggressor landing overhand rights and hooks to the body. Gonzalez pounded away on Martinez with combinations, and Martinez had little defense for it. Martinez went to the body successfully in the round, but only enough to make it competitive.

Gonzalez continued his assault in round three, by waling away with lefts and rights. Speedy threw the left hook very effectively in this round. From round four on, Gonzalez really began to dominate. Gonzalez was able to corner Martinez and pound away with a complete arsenal. Martinez had little defense, but took the punishment well, and never seemed hurt. In round five Gonzalez rocked Martinez with a overhand right, but didn't seem to hurt Martinez with it. The fight continued to get even more one sided during the final four rounds.

Gonzalez dominated the remainder of the fight and earned a solid 8 round shutout victory. Martinez was a late sub, and had been fighting as a featherweight, which may explain why he was able to take the punishment that he took. Gonzalez said after the fight that he felt his power was good, even though he was unable to finish Martinez off. He also said he would like 2-3 more fights before challenging for a world title. He also stated he would love to fight Bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez, or avenge his sole loss to Jhonny Gonzalez. Gonzalez improved to 24-1 with the win, while Martinez fell to 19-17.

There were four other fights on the "Battle in the Ballroom" card from the Irvine Marriott. The night started with two welterweights making their professional debuts. Marcos Rocha of Brazil battled Aaron Martinez of East Los Angeles. In a competitive fight, Martinez scored a majority decision victory. The bout was stopped in the middle of the final round due to an accidental head butt that opened up a nasty gash on Martinez's forehead.

In a junior welterweight bout, Juan Hernandez of Boyle Heights, California made his pro debut against Ruben Rodriguez of Orange, California. Hernandez controlled the fight, landing good right hands and a few good right uppercuts. Rodriguez had no answer for Hernandez's right hand. Hernandez stunned Rodriguez in the final round with a left hook and went on to win a majority decision in a four round bout. Rodriguez fell to 1-2 with the loss.

In a four round female flyweight bout, Julie Rubelcava of Westminster, California TKOed Gina Abel of Gatesville, Texas. Rubelcava kept her undefeated record intact with a sharp performance, picking Abel apart before finishing the fight at the end of the first round. Rubelcava boxed very effectively, landing crisp lefts and punishing Abel. Finally towards the end of the round, Rubelcava cornered Abel and pounded away until Abel's corner threw in the towel stopping the fight. A impressive performance for the now 3-0 Flyweight Julie Rubelcava.

Problems arrived as the semi main event fell apart, but late replacements were found, and they stepped up in a big way. Hector Leyva of Mexico battled Leonel Madrigal of Oxnard, California in a four round lightweight battle. Both fighters took the fight on one day's notice and fought an exciting fight. Leyva dropped Madrigal in the first round with a great left hook, but Madrigal got up and fought back valiantly. Leyva capped off round two with a great overhand right. In rounds three and four, Madrigal forced the action more, and was more successful. Leyva ended up winning a split decision over Madrigal. Leyva improved to 2-2, while Madrigal fell to 1-1.

Some faces in the crowd at Thursday's "Battle in the Ballroom" card included former World Champions Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez, and "School Boy" Bobby Chacon. Junior Middleweight contender Jose "Shibata" Flores, and Julio Gonzalez. Also in attendance were 'The Bash Brothers,' Librado Andrade and Enrique Ornelas. When asked, Genaro Hernandez predicted a victory for Bernard Hopkins on Saturday, likely by a late round stoppage.