Licona, Gonzalez Will Headline Boxing Card Tonight in Irvine

Two outstanding local fighters return to the ring tonight at the monthly Battle in the Ballroom boxing card at the Irvine Marriott.

Marcos Licona (10-1-1, four knockouts), fighting out of the Westminster Boxing Club, makes his return to the ring against Tiger Small (7-3-1, five knockouts) of San Diego in an eight-round featherweight bout. Licona has not fought since he sustained a close split decision loss at the Marriott last August in a state title bout against current World Boxing Union champion Carlos Navarro.

Julio Gonzalez, a good puncher who graduated from Edison High, continues his professional campaign in a six-round light heavyweight bout against Calvin Coombs of Lancaster. Gonzalez (9-0, no knockouts) put on a flashy performance March 26, defeating Kip Triplet. Coombs (5-12, one knockout) has a deceiving record, according to matchmaker Jerry Bilderrain.

“He takes everyone to the wire. He’s one tough dude,” Bilderrain said.

The six-bout card includes a six-round junior middleweight fight between Miguel Avila of Pomona and Tony Garcia of Oxnard and three four-round fights.